Rose City Park Neighborhood Association

Please consider this such a request (for a postion on the 25-member board).

Mr. Gonzalez (and Ms. Treat [of PBOT]:

Yes, I’d like your agency to investigate. If we have to deal with this issue on an intersection-by-intersection basis rather than by exploring the assumptions that underly the city’s approach to traffic control in this part of town, the we will. Coincidentally (or not), shortly after our last exchange as I went to pick up my wife 30 minutes ago, I just about got nailed myself by someone at the uncontrolled NE 53rd & Siskiyou intersection who was driving exactly as I’ve been describing in a U-Haul F150. Consistent with my second sentence, you might as well add that intersection too. And 55th and Stanton where there was a near identical accident not too long ago. (Shall I put together a list? Will it accomplish anything?) Many of my neighbors would agree with me – and I know this because they expressed the viewpoint when we were helping the victim in the accident the other day – that it’s all sort of a sad joke: stand around for 30 minutes or so and you’ll inevitably (usually sooner rather than later) see a driver blow through an uncontrolled intersection without slowing down or even looking.

(I have a stop sign at my corner on Siskiyou at 54th (E-W), installed a year or two ago after I asked for one on 54th at Siskiyou (N-S) to slow down Washington traffic shortcutting, I’m pretty sure, to the Glenn Jackson Bridge to bypass commuter traffic on Sandy. Two weeks ago I was sitting in my front yard trying to read. I counted 22 (!!) consecutive cars heading west on Siskiyou fail to come to a complete stop at the sign; it’s true that most did a rolling California stop but one rolled through the sign without slowing from 20 mph or so.)

“As a former civil servant [myself],” I would sometimes, even often, go to great lengths to understand WHY my customer was concerned and to hear their thoughts about how it might be addressed. This would sometimes include inviting them to come into the office to meet with me and my investigators or more often – since our jurisdiction covered 8 states and 3 territories – setting up a conference call or videoconference to do that. Had I not had a lot of experience doing that, I likely would not have suggested it to your boss. However, since that’s not something your agency is prepared to do, I’ll send our correspondence to the Rose City Park and Beaumont neighborhood associations’ transportation committees with a request that they make the same request of PBOT.

Would video of some of the more egregious behavior help or is it a lost cause?

Regards,
Tim Spofford

On Jul 13, 2015, at 4:05 PM, Gonzalez, Cevero wrote:

Hello again, Mr. Spofford:

The additional follow-up is appreciated. However, so that I can appropriately update my records, please confirm: Would you still like PBOT to investigate the location identified in your earlier correspondence?

Too, please know that every inquiry is unique and, in turn, deserves its own unique response. The challenge remains, however; balancing the expectations of the requesting party with the practical or real-world solutions often available. For example: As a former civil servant yourself, charged with conducting investigations of your own, I’m sure you would understand – if not agree – that the resolution we must often provide can sometimes conflict what the requesting party would have preferred or expected.

One suggestion for your consideration: In order to help ensure that your thoughts and suggestions regarding neighborhood livability are heard, I would encourage you to work with your local neighborhood association’s transportation subcommittee.

I look forward to your follow-up response.

Sincerely,

Cevero Gonzalez
Constituent Services and Public Records Requests
Portland Bureau of Transportation
503.823.5080 Phone
503.823.7609 Fax
Cevero.Gonzalez@portlandoregon.gov

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From: Tim Spofford [mailto:tim@timspofford.com]
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2015 3:10 PM
To: Gonzalez, Cevero
Cc: Treat, Leah; Hanson, Laura; PDOT Traffic Safety and Livability
Subject: Re: (Re-sent With attachments) Yet Another NE … = FOLLOW UP

Thanks. This is really more an issue of Portland’s clinging to uncontrolled intersections as a guiding philosophically than it is of that particular intersection at 55th and Sidkiyou. It’s a philosophy that may have made sense when northeast Portland was built out 90-100 years ago but is just stupid today. Many, many drivers seem (from daily observation) to believe that if there’s no stop sign there are no limits on the caution (or speed) required of them. And, as in the case of the accident I documented, the bigger the vehicle, the more confident the driver, seemingly, of making it through unscathed.

As a former (retired) Federal lawyer and investigator, I have no trouble recognizing a bureaucratic response. I was an expert at drafting them, so maybe I should file this under “Karma.” That Portland has no interest in considering the larger question is to be expected, unfortunately.

Regards,
Tim Spofford

On Jul 13, 2015, at 1:30 PM, Gonzalez, Cevero wrote:

Greetings, Mr. Spofford:

Thank you for writing Leah Treat to share your comments and concerns about a traffic improvement investigation you would like to see conducted in your neighborhood; specifically at NE 55th and NE Siskiyou.

BACKGROUND

After reviewing PBOT records, I could find no previous requests for investigations at this location. That being said, and in response to your correspondence, I’ve asked PBOT staff to initiate an investigation in order to determine what, if any, improvements are warranted.

Additionally, while we appreciate your interest in meeting with PBOT staff to highlight your concerns, we normally allow for the completion of an investigation to occur before inviting additional input.

CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION

Please note that due to the volume of requests for investigation currently in the queue, we expect a resolution to your inquiry on or about December 17, 2015. The current 16-week timeframe is typical of the backlog and in no way represents the importance we place on your request or on other requests we might receive.

SUBMITTING FUTURE REQUESTS

PBOT continues to utilize the citizen-initiated request process. As a result, and to report any future transportation-related improvements in your neighborhood you would like to see investigated, please submit your request via email at SAFE@portlandoregon.gov.

Again, our thanks for your outreach.

Sincerely,

Cevero Gonzalez
Constituent Services and Public Records Requests
Portland Bureau of Transportation
503.823.5080 Phone
503.823.7609 Fax
Cevero.Gonzalez@portlandoregon.gov

—–Original Message—–
From: Tim Spofford [mailto:tim@timspofford.com]
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2015 1:49 PM
To: Treat, Leah
Cc: Commissioner Novick
Subject: (Re-sent With attachments) Yet Another NE …

… Portland uncontrolled intersection crash, at NE 55th and Siskiyou yesterday afternoon. Had the guy that got T-boned had a passenger she probably would not have survived. Had a child, or anyone, been standing on the sidewalk at the corner they probably would not have survived. The guy in the truck – the T-boner – kept saying, “but there was no stop sign,” “but there was no stop sign,” thereby essentially proving the point we have been trying to make: that way to many people who use these streets believe that if they have no stop sign, they’re on a through street and the other guy does.

None of us in the “neighborhood were surprised. We watch near misses and careless drivers constantly, eyes straight ahead as they drive through uncontrolled intersections with zero reduction in speed. (Most of the people who live here come to a near stop at these intersections.)

On my block of NE 54th, between Siskiyou and Klickitat, half a block from yesterday’s accident, there are more than 20 children, all but a couple of elementary school age or younger and two with significant disabilities, not to mention seniors (I’m. 69.) There are almost as many children on the comparable block of 55th, where the accident happened. I’m afraid it’s just a matter of time.

I understand that East Portland needs sidewalks, something that I’m strongly supportive of, but this situation is absurd, and also dangerous.

Could I and maybe 2 of my neighbors meet with a planner to explore solutions?

Thank you,
Tim Spofford
3106 NE 54th Ave
503-545-8535