“It’s going to stay right where it is,” Mesquite Police Chief Troy Tanner said about the speed limit currently set on Falcon Ridge Parkway. The issue came up at the monthly City Manager Forum on Oct. 27 when Andy Barton met with local residents at the Sun City Recreation Center.
Chief Tanner revealed that it’s not always outsiders who are guilty of speeding on the four lane road some have dubbed Falcon Ridge Speedway.
“We get a few complaints and do our thing up there for four to five hours at a time,” he said. “Within those time frames, 90 percent of the people we pull over for speeding are residents of Sun City. In our last patrol there were only two who were not residents.”
Tanner also noted that when the speed enforcement events happen, MPD gets blamed for harassing the residents. “There are those who complain about the speeders and then there are those who complain about us trying to enforce the speed limit.”
The other repeating conversation piece often found around Mesquite regarded the abandoned buildings in the downtown area, mainly, the old El Mesquite Café on the corner of East Mesquite Boulevard and North Sandhill Boulevard. “We can’t force property owners to do something with their property that is not violating city codes,” said City Liaison Officer Aaron Baker. “We have redevelopment funds available but the properties aren’t using them.”
An update was also given on the new library slated for the vacant property on the corner of West Mesquite Boulevard and Desert Road. According to city officials, they will be closing on the property before the end of the year with construction set to begin in January.
35 MPH is one the things that make this city nice. No one needs to go faster anywhere in this city. Keep up the great work MPD.
The chief is right. Most neighborhood speeders are the first to complain when cited. Hopefully, his department will strictly enforce the speed limits in the city and issue tickets until conformity.
Higher speeds means more road noise. Everyone needs to chill and take there time. Isn’t that what a smaller community is all about? Slow down and enjoy life, or go back to the metro.
I appreciate the local police department. When I moved here, I thought I was moving to a neighborhood of responsible adults. Not the case as I have been passed on my residential street and given the finger because I slowed down to turn into my driveway. I also observed City of Mesquite employees exceeding the speed limit as well as the contractors who deliver dirt, concrete, etc. I have also been passed on Falcon Ridge by drivers exceeding 60 MPH. Guess something will be done when someone is injured or killed. Not a safe place to live with all the idiots around here.
35 mph is a great speed. It would be nice if people would actually go that speed. One of the biggest reasons people end up going much faster is to dodge the pokey people puttering around at 15, 20, & 25 mph in a 35. This is especially true of the snow birds. Folks, if you’re going to come and be part of this community, pay attention to the road. There are speed limits, stop signs, lane merges-figure it out and stop being nuisance drivers. It creates a dangerous situation when one has to duck in between these folks doing these slow speeds. Come on – get it together and go the speed limit. Don’t go faster than the posted speed, but for goodness sake, speed the heck up to the posted speed.
Seniors are the biggest whiners in Sun City Mesquite.
Chief Tanner is right- the seniors up in Sun city are the biggest violators of the speed limit and most of the whiners are the ones doing the speeding.
Sun City Seniors- quit your whining and complaining and perhaps common sense will prevail.
Perhaps you seniors should conform and not expect the world to conform to you!
Drive the speed limit, quit being whiny rats and mind your own business.
The Chief stood up to you whiners and i commend him- thanks Chief Tanner for not caving to these whiny seniors who want to get into everyone’s business and try to sell there narrow minded agenda.
Chief Tanner aint buyin it SCM SENIORS!