In the year since four winter visitors were struck and killed while they walked on a sidewalk around Fountain Park, Fountain Hills has struggled with making this a safer community for pedestrians.

There has been an additional pedestrian fatality in the fall and several others injured when struck while walking or riding bicycles along the streets since last March.

At a recent Town Council meeting Vice Mayor Art Tolis said it is time to take action to make the town safer for pedestrians. The image of a safe, walkable town is what the community wants.

Tolis suggested one step would be to reduce the speed limit along Saguaro Boulevard between El Lago and Fountain Hills boulevards to 20 miles per hour. This is the stretch where the four were killed last March.

At the same meeting, Councilman Alan Magazine confessed he had himself blown through a stop sign. He said it was after dark and he did not see it.

Town Manager Grady Miller said in February he would bring together town officials to discuss options and steps to address the safety concern. Mayor Ginny Dickey, MCSO Capt. Larry Kratzer, Public Works Director Justin Weldy and one or two other council members would join Miller in this task force. The group was to meet for the first time earlier this week.

Miller noted that many engineering steps have been taken with regard to making pavement striping more visible and improving the markings in some places. They will be discussing enhancement for signage.

Work is to begin very soon on addressing the confusing intersection at La Montana Drive and Avenue of the Fountains, and an engineering firm is evaluating options for Avenue of the Fountains and Verde River Drive. Both of these downtown intersections receive substantial vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Miller said he would also like to stripe Avenue of the Fountains to effectively reduce its width so two vehicle should not pass.

At La Montana the effort will include pavement structure to restrict the width and restriping to more plainly direct traffic. Post Office access will also be modified related to the intersection.

A four-way stop and new crosswalk markings are expected to be the least done at the Verde River intersection.

Kartzer is relatively new as MCSO commander in the district and in some ways still getting up to speed. He said he is working to stress the importance of traffic patrol upon the deputies working in town.

Mayor Dickey, Miller and some council members have also met with Sheriff Paul Penzone and some of his command staff to discuss how to address various unspecified issues going forward.

Miller said he would also like to remind pedestrians to take some responsibility for their own safety. At dawn and dusk and of course overnight it can be extremely difficult to see people walking. He urges pedestrians to wear lighter colors, even safety wear, to enhance visibility. Also, cross at crosswalks where lighting is usually better.

Bicyclists should use lights and reflectors to enhance visibility.

Drivers and pedestrians should also be cognizant of what the other might be able to see or not see in a particular situation.