Sections of Speed Bump Stolen from New City Street

An on-going effort to slow traffic down in the Camelot residential neighborhood of New City has hit a bump. Somone has stolen a section of new "speed cushions" that have been intsalled to limit speeds.

Clarkstown Highway Superintendent Wayne Ballard said that three pieces of a middle section of speed cushion were removed on King Author Court. The thick, hard rubber mats are bolted to the pavement. Ballard said this type of speed bump is being used, instead of permanent asphalt speed bumps, so they can be removed during snowy winter months to avoid damage to town plow.

Ballard said the sections of speed bump were stolen sometime Saturday night, and a report has been filed with the Clarkstown police.

Ballard said at 11 this morning that his workers are in the process of replacing the stolen sections. He said the value of the stolen pieces is under $1,000.

When Clarkstown highway workers inspected the affected speed bumps on King Arthur Court, Ballard said it appears someone was trying to remove the entire grouping of speed bumps because bolts were missing from remaining panels.

"It probably took them about 20 minutes with a rachet to remove the bolts," said Ballard, estimating the stolen panels were held in place by about 30 bolts.

The speed cushions are also being installed by the town on Lady Godiva Way in Camelot as part of the effort to slow down drivers who are using the long, straight residential streets as a shortcut from Route 304 at Squadron Boulevard and East Cavalary Drive to Congers Road near Clarkstown North High School.

Ballard said he is reluctant to use fasteners that would be more difficult to remove because that would make it more difficult and time-consuming for his crews to pull up the speed cushions for the winter.