Speeding a concern on St. Marks Lane

The Town of Islip and Suffolk County police have both been notified about the speeding on St. Marks Lane in West Islip, which is often in excess of 50 miles per hour. After a dog -- an English springer spaniel -- was run over recently, police increased their presence for one week and the town put a stop sign at the southern end of the road. But the speeding remains. We need a stop sign farther north, by Montauk Highway. Today it was a dog; tomorrow it might be a child.

-- Jack Levy, West Islip

We hope your neighbors are grateful, Mr. Levy, that you're watching out for their safety. After you notified us, we queried Suffolk police about traffic on St. Marks Lane. In response, police stepped up enforcement there -- but don't expect that level of attention to continue. Officers said the speeding problem isn't severe enough to warrant extra attention on a regular basis.

Insp. Jan Rios, commanding officer of the Third Precinct, said when officers were dispatched to the road last month, they monitored traffic at varying times for several days. Just one speeder was observed, Rios said, and that driver was given a ticket.

And though three accidents were reported on St. Marks Lane in the past year, he said, none involved speeding.

"While I don't doubt Mr. Levy's observation of speeders, the road is nowhere on our radar for roads that require police attention beyond sector patrols," Rios said.

The Town of Islip's Traffic Safety Division chimed in with a statement addressing the proposed additional stop sign: "There have been multiple traffic studies on St. Mark's Lane over the years," the statement said, "but after each inspection it has been concluded that the addition of another all-way stop sign is not necessary."

Third Precinct residents with speeding concerns can call 631-854-8300.

-- MICHAEL R. EBERT

Sylvan Road plagued by excessive speed

The posted speed limit on Sylvan Road in North Babylon, which runs parallel to the Southern State Parkway, is 30 miles per hour -- but the typical speed is closer to 50 to 60 miles per hour. I have informed Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's office. The last time I emailed Levy, a Suffolk County police officer came to my door with my email in hand. The county says it doesn't have enough patrol cars -- but it seems that when there's a local fender-bender, multiple police cars show up. I don't know what else to do.

-- Doreen Steinhauser, North Babylon

The First Precinct took action after we called: Police stepped up enforcement on Sylvan Road, according to Deputy Insp. Thomas Palmieri, and police used Steinhauer's driveway to monitor traffic speeds.

Steinhauser reports that police issued a "flurry of tickets" on a recent day.

But police can't guarantee a constant presence. Palmieri said officers have patrolled there as time allows and that speeding on the road is not "atypical" of the area.

"We receive many traffic-related complaints and can't assign officers to these locations at all times," he said.

The precinct already had deployed a digital speed-detector on Sylvan -- in the hope motorists will adjust their speeds downward.

Residents of the First Precinct, which covers the Town of Babylon, can report concerns about speeding in their neighborhoods by calling 631-854-8100.

-- MICHAEL R. EBERT