Cape Coral residents demand safety measures on Burnt Store Road
Updated: 10:27 PM EDT Oct 23, 2025
Residents of Cape Coral are urging for increased police presence and safety measures on Burnt Store Road following 59 crashes, including at least three fatal, since November 2024. John Fleming, chairman of the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition, emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “It’s a matter of life and death, I tell people.”Jeff Russell, a northwest Cape Coral resident, expressed frustration with the speeding on the road, stating, “I’m doing the posted speed limit on that road. What is wrong with people?” Residents attribute the danger to excessive speed and insufficient enforcement, with Fleming describing the road as a “racetrack” and calling for intervention to change the situation.Despite police claims of patrolling the area, Russell said, “I haven’t seen many cops out there at all. It’s like the Wild West.” The Burnt Store Corridor Coalition has met with Cape Coral police, Charlotte County leaders, and Lee County deputies, advocating for lower speed limits, improved lighting, and more visible patrols.Fleming noted, “If you put a police car there, it sends a message to people. They change how they drive. No one wants a ticket, OK? There is no substitute for seeing a police officer — residents want that more than anything.”Residents are urging drivers to slow down to prevent further accidents. The Burnt Store Corridor Coalition plans to petition Lee County commissioners for a public workshop this fall to address these concerns.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Residents of Cape Coral are urging for increased police presence and safety measures on Burnt Store Road following 59 crashes, including at least three fatal, since November 2024.
John Fleming, chairman of the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition, emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “It’s a matter of life and death, I tell people.”
Jeff Russell, a northwest Cape Coral resident, expressed frustration with the speeding on the road, stating, “I’m doing the posted speed limit on that road. What is wrong with people?”
Residents attribute the danger to excessive speed and insufficient enforcement, with Fleming describing the road as a “racetrack” and calling for intervention to change the situation.
Despite police claims of patrolling the area, Russell said, “I haven’t seen many cops out there at all. It’s like the Wild West.”
The Burnt Store Corridor Coalition has met with Cape Coral police, Charlotte County leaders, and Lee County deputies, advocating for lower speed limits, improved lighting, and more visible patrols.
Fleming noted, “If you put a police car there, it sends a message to people. They change how they drive. No one wants a ticket, OK? There is no substitute for seeing a police officer — residents want that more than anything.”
Residents are urging drivers to slow down to prevent further accidents. The Burnt Store Corridor Coalition plans to petition Lee County commissioners for a public workshop this fall to address these concerns.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.