We live in something of an oasis, since we are a small town with our own police force and low crime statistics, surrounded by a larger metropolitan area with higher crime statistics. The residents of our town know and appreciate this.
But safety goes beyond law enforcement. And over the last three years, the Mountain View Council has worked to expand the emphasis on safety.
Recent enhancements in Mountain View include the deployment of a portable speed trailer to document traffic statistics and remind drivers to slow down; tree-trimming initiatives to improve sight-lines and pedestrian safety; regular street maintenance; sidewalk repairs to reduce hazards; and adopting a vision triangle ordinance to keep intersections clear of obstructions. Not to mention, the automated ticketing that was recently initiated on Sheridan Boulevard!
Note, as well, that the Ten-Year Infrastructure Plan created by our Public Works Coordinator, and outlined for your reading pleasure in his article nearby, is integral to the safety of our town in many ways.
These are all meaningful steps, but there is always more to do.
That’s why our town is proud to introduce the “Mountain View Cares About Safety” program, a comprehensive approach to prioritizing safety across the board.
The program draws on partnerships, best practices, and innovative technologies to emphasize a consistent approach to safety. We are participating in two regional and county programs, namely Jefferson County’s Safer Streets for All, and Denver’s Regional Council of Governments’ Sheridan Safety Study. And, in the coming year, the Town Council and staff will consider additional safety measures outlined in the plan.
These include expanded signage possibilities, campaigns to promote safer driving behaviors, updated crosswalks, and exploring new technologies to keep our streets safe. Community engagement will play a central role in these discussions, ensuring that our residents’ voices and concerns guide our efforts.
Community members can already participate in a number of ways: Sharing your thoughts and attending events (especially the new police community forums which you will get invitations to throughout the year) are great ways to be involved. One of the reasons we hold the events is to encourage and expand the connections we share, because when we know each other, we are all safer.
Additionally, making sure you let our police department know when you are going out of town, by using the vacation patrol form on the website, helps keep everyone safe. And if you are interested in the possibility of learning about the work of our police department, signing up for a ride-along with one of our officers might be something you’d enjoy. You can find the vacation patrol form as well as contact information for our police department to request a ride-along, on their website page at www.tomv.org/police-department.
“Mountain View Cares About Safety” is more than a plan—it’s a commitment to enhancing our safe, connected community, rooted in our shared desire for a collaborative, proactive, caring place to call home.
