If any of you have driven to or past Mequon Road on I43, you know what a mess the traffic is there. There is major construction at the intersection of Mequon Rd and Pt Washington Rd, which has virtually brought traffic there to a standstill.
Cars trying to exit on Mequon Road are often backed onto the freeway --- creating a real possibility of injuries or loss of life.
I read in the newspaper a quote from the Mequon chief that his department is too busy to control the Mequon Rd / Pt Washington Rd intersection. Having previously lived in Mequon, and driving through there quite frequently now, I find it hard to believe that one of their officers running a radar trap can't be temporarily assigned to the Mequon/Pt Wash intersection to direct traffic --- especially during the rush hours.
In contrast to their Mequon brethern, I was very impressed last night with SPD's handling of the power outage that took out the traffic signals at Oakland and Capitol.
In the pouring rain, an SPD officer was directing traffic to ensure safety of motorists and pedestrians, and avoiding the horrendous backup that would inevitably occured, had he not been there.
It's tough to get out of a nice and dry car, to stand in the rain, and deal with often irrational motorists.
But it is an aspect of the "Serve and Protect" part of the job, that the Shorewood Police Department obviously took seriously.
COMMENT FROM READER:
Dave,
I have to wholeheartedly agree with you re: the comparison of
Shorewood and Mequon's finest!
I must have followed the same path as
you that day and seen the same situations; it was a breath of fresh
air to see no lights working @ Capital and Oakland, yet traffic was
flowing smoothly through the intersection thanks to the officer
braving the downpour!
Granted, Shorewood & Mequon are vastly different
in size, but, properly staffed, it was unbelievable that the Mequon
chief would 'not have time' to provide traffic control for an
intersection that has the potential of causing massive accidents by
backing traffic onto a 65MPH interstate highway!
Cudos to Shorewood
Chief Dave Banaszynski and his staff!
Jim Genthe-Shorewood resident of 53 years
