Speed-Bump Debate

The two letters regarding speed bumps in Mandeville Canyon (June 17) fail to recognize what is unique about this conflict. First, Mandeville Canyon Road is a 51/2-mile dead-end street. Speed bumps are not being installed to discourage short-cut traffic, as is often the case. The lower portion of the canyon, where speed bumps have been installed, is the sole means of ingress and egress for the nearly 1,200 Mandeville neighborhood families. Second, the canyon is already remote for emergency-response purposes; speed bumps will only cause further delay. Third, the vast majority of canyon residents oppose speed bumps because of this safety risk, but they have not been permitted to vote. The city’s anti-democratic procedures enfranchise only those living immediately along the area of installation. That is just not fair.

Tom Freeman

Los Angeles