Joseph A Raso
C HUL A VISTA , CA 91910
Telephone
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members, June 2, 2026 I am appearing before you this evening to bring attention to a significant and growing liability facing the City of Chula Vista regarding the safety of our Downtown pedestrian crosswalks.
As the City continues to invest in and promote the revitalization of Downtown Third Avenue, increased pedestrian activity has created a corresponding need for enhanced safety measures. City officials and staff are aware that the combination of increased foot traffic and excessive vehicle speeds has resulted in a concerning pattern of vehicle- related incidents within the Downtown district.
Since 2022, there have been 16 reported collisions involving vehicles striking either pedestrians or fixed objects in the Downtown area. Most alarming is the recent incident in which a young boy was struck while using a Downtown crosswalk and suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization. This incident serves as a stark reminder that the risks associated with these uncontrolled crossings are not theoretical— they are real, foreseeable, and potentially life- altering.
City Staff possesses clear knowledge of an ongoing public safety concern. With each additional incident, the City' s exposure to legal liability and financial damages increases. Courts have consistently recognized that when a public agency becomes aware of a Page of1 7
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dangerous condition and fails to take reasonable corrective action, that agency may face substantial liability when injuries occur.
Fortunately, a practical and cost- effective solution already exists. In other areas of Chula Vista, the installation of stop signs has successfully reduced vehicle speeds and improved safety. Attached are photographs of locations where stop signs have proven effective, as well as seven heavily utilized uncontrolled crosswalks along Third Avenue where similar traffic- control measures could significantly reduce the risk of future vehicle- versus- pedestrian collisions.
The question before the City is not whether another serious accident will occur, but whether reasonable preventative action will be taken before it does. Every day that these hazardous conditions remain unaddressed increases the risk of additional injuries and further exposes the City to avoidable legal and financial consequences.
For these reasons, I respectfully urge the City Council to place this matter on a future agenda as soon as possible and direct staff to evaluate and implement appropriate traffic- calming measures, including the installation of stop signs at identified Downtown crosswalk locations.
The safety of our residents, visitors, and businesses and the City' s responsibility to protect them requires prompt action.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully Submitted,
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elow: Stop signs on “ J” Street east of Interstate 5
Primary function: Slow traffic off freeway
Below: Stop signs on Nacion Ave south of “ L” St
Primary function: Slow traffic around blind corner
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Below: Uncontrolled Third Ave Crosswalk South of “ E”
Below: Uncontrolled Third Ave Crosswalk South of Davidson Page of4 7
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Below: Uncontrolled Third Ave Crosswalk at Center Street Below: Uncontrolled Third Ave Crosswalk at Madonna
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Below: Uncontrolled Third Ave Crosswalk at Parkway
Below: Uncontrolled Third Ave Crosswalk at Roosevelt
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Below: Uncontrolled Third Ave Crosswalk at Alvarado
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