Letter to Frederick Police Chief from a Resident

A resident recently sent this letter to the Frederick City Police Chief. He gave permission to share this letter with us:

Dear Chief Dine,

I have been a resident of Frederick City since 1996 and my family currently resides at 503A Magnolia Avenue. Frederick is a growing, thriving and exciting community and we enjoy the quality of life that the city offers, but as you know, with this growth comes many challenges. The purpose of this correspondence is to address a particular challenge of growing concern, that being traffic enforcement, or lack thereof.

When I moved to Frederick, speed enforcement was commonplace on main thoroughfares within the city, particularly on those that dissected residential neighborhoods. However, over the past several years, despite the increased traffic I cannot recall once having seen the Frederick City Police Department conducting speed enforcement operations. Specifically, Magnolia and Fairview Avenues have become main thoroughfares between Rosemont Avenue and 7th Street, due mainly to the growth of Frederick Memorial Hospital and Hood College.

To exacerbate the problem, the enrollment at Hood College has far exceeded parking capacity on campus and as a result, overflow has spilled onto the neighborhood streets. Cars often line both sides of the street some of which routinely block driveways and encroach on intersections. Quite frankly, Magnolia Avenue is a recipe for disaster, essentially becoming a two direction, single lane main thoroughfare. This congestion doesn't seem to impede the high rate of speed of many vehicles. Despite numerous calls to the Police Department voicing our concerns, we have not seen any response. I would also think that regular traffic enforcement would generate revenue for the city, particularly during a time when budgets are under significant pressure.

Please take this letter in the vain in which it is meant, that being the concern for the safety of the families in our neighborhoods. I welcome any input that you may have.

Sincerely,

Pat Muldowney