One of the more polarizing topics of discussion at the Hillsboro city council meeting Tuesday evening was the Hiltop Drive issue brought forth by residents of the street. As it stands, the street becomes dangerous because of the speed of students entering and leaving Hillsboro High School. According to Michael Murphy, the Commissioner of Public Health and Safety in Hillsboro, the busiest times of the street are between 7:15 and 8:00 in the morning as well as 2:40 and 3:15 in the afternoon.

Concerned citizens proposed a couple of different solutions to make the street safer: the complete closure of the street during those time periods, and the conversion of the drive into a one-way street. After discussing it with citizens and other city officials, Mayor Brian Sullivan and the rest of the council decided that these two options were not the best for the city at the time.

Commissioner Murphy proposed taking baby steps to resolve the issue.

In my opinion, I think its something that needs to be done in phases. We need to have a more effective presence over there during school and sporting events; which we have a unique situation with one of our part-time officers and we can send him or one of our full-time officers over there to run radar and be a bigger, better presence over there.

Murphy also said if better law enforcement doesnt help the situation, the council would readdress the issue.

If that doesnt work and we cant get a hold of the situation with that, then we can take it to the next step and introduce speed humps, lower the speed limit, and things of that nature. I think there are ways that everybody can have satisfaction here.

The council approved the measure to address the issue in phases; and when school begins for the 2015-16 year, an officer will be on site to make sure students are obeying the posted speed limit - a solution that should, for the time being, make Hiltop Drive much safer for everyone involved.

-David Jenkins
July 15, 2015