A campaign door knock led to a conversation about children’s safety, followed by city action on a neighborhood street.
IRVINE– A new “STOP AHEAD” warning sign has been installed on a residential street in Irvine, giving drivers an earlier warning before reaching a stop sign. For resident Kaiyan Wang, the sign is the result of a concern he raised after becoming increasingly worried about his daughter and other children walking through the neighborhood.
Wang lives in a relatively new community near a school and a park. As his daughter got older and began wanting to walk to school or the park with friends, he started paying closer attention to traffic on Rotunda Street, near his home. Wang said some cars move through the area at high speeds, and some drivers do not make a full stop at the stop signs. A few months ago, he said, a neighbor was involved in a crash while making a left turn near the neighborhood after a vehicle traveling straight hit the car. Wang said the other vehicle was an Uber. The incident made him more concerned about children crossing the street.
“Children walk through here every day. Safety is my biggest concern,” Wang said.
Wang initially suggested installing speed bumps. He had lived in San Clemente and had seen them used to slow traffic. He later learned that Irvine has restrictions on speed bumps, in part because traffic-calming measures have to accommodate emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances.
Then, in June, someone knocked on his door. Former Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang, who is running for Irvine City Council District 1, was going door to door as part of his campaign and happened to stop at Wang’s home. Wang told him about the traffic concerns, including speeding, drivers failing to stop and the number of children walking through the area. Wang said Kang took down his information and contacted the city.
The next day, Wang said, he heard from the city. He was later contacted by city officials, police and public works staff involved in traffic-related matters. They asked about the location and the concerns he had raised. The speed-bump idea did not move forward, but the conversation continued about other ways to improve safety.
Kang also told Wang to keep following up with the city. Wang sent another email. The following day, he saw city workers on the street with traffic cones, carrying out roadway work. Wang, who previously worked as a newspaper reporter, grabbed his phone and went outside to take pictures. “I wanted to document it,” he said. “I wanted to have a record that something was actually being done.”
About two months after he first raised the concern, new “STOP AHEAD” warning signs appeared before the existing stop signs. Wang said the city also told him that additional safety measures, including roadway markings, could be considered.
Kang said the experience reflects what he believes local government should do when residents bring forward concerns. “Residents bring up issues, and the city should listen and get things done,” he said.
Kang said he has visited about 7,500 homes in District 1 since June as part of his door-to-door campaign. District 1 is in northern Irvine and includes a number of newer neighborhoods and ongoing residential development. He said many residents bring up everyday issues involving traffic, roads and public facilities during those conversations. Kang also pointed to the “Meet the Mayor” program he held during his time as Irvine mayor, when residents could meet with him directly to discuss concerns and suggestions.
For Wang, the experience has also changed the way he plans to deal with neighborhood problems. He said Kang did not make him feel that a public official was distant from residents. “Having served as mayor, Sukhee is not above you,” Wang said. “He is beside you, like a neighbor.”
Wang said the experience taught him not to give up too quickly when a neighborhood problem needs attention. If he runs into a similar issue in the future, he said he will contact the city and the appropriate departments himself, follow up and keep looking for a solution rather than simply waiting for someone else to take care of it.
What started with a parent’s concern about children crossing the street ended with a new warning sign on the road—and a resident who says he is now more willing to speak up and stay involved when problems arise in his community.
