Long Beach city leaders are demanding answers after a memo revealed only 17 out of more than 200 requested traffic calming projects were approved for quick action.
City Councilmembers Cindy Allen, Megan Kerr and Mary Zendejas are proposing firm deadlines for traffic studies and regular progress updates. The push comes after 53 fatal crashes were recorded in 2025 — the highest in more than a decade. Additionally, a memo showing only 17 of 220 requested traffic calming projects were approved for quick action.
“We’re demanding explanation,” Allen said. “If you have over 220 requests for traffic calming measures and only 17 get enacted, it seems very low to me.”
The city councilmember, who was formerly part of the Long Beach Police Department, said residents weren’t given clear explanations when their requests were denied. She said she wants to change that and have the city be more transparent on how decisions are made about areas that have experienced traffic incidents.
“People are crazy, the way they’re driving,” Allen said. “Not following the rules, not obeying the rules of the road and so we’re going to need PD to play a part in this, too, with enforcement.”
The release of the memo comes on the heels of a multi-vehicle crash involving an RV this week near Atlantic Avenue and Market Street. Neighbors were woken up to the sound of an RV slamming into five parked cars. According to residents who live in the area, another car crash occurred on that same street just months ago.
“It’s not a safe street, it’s a hot spot,” said Noel Barragas. “It happened about three months ago with an eight-car accident at about 1 in the morning.”
As part of an effort to make so-called hot spots safer, Allen said Ocean Boulevard’s speed limit will be lowered to 25 mph at the end of the year. Speed cameras will also be installed on the road.
NBCLA has reached out to the city manager’s office for comment.