There is a new addition at two intersections in Riverside — speed radar signs.

The Riverside Police and Public Works departments have installed the signs to make streets safer near two schools.

The departments applied for a grant together, and though it was awarded last year, the village did not decide where to place the signs until recently. The grant was provided through Nixle Inc., the company that manufactures the signs.

One sign has been placed near A.F. Ames Elementary School, the site of a 2008 accident that injured a student. Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel said parent input went into the sign placement.

“Last year, a grade-school child was struck by a car and came away with minor injuries,” Weitzel said. “Parents in the area wanted us to look at the traffic patterns and concerns in that area. The sign placement is a direct result of working with them.”

The second radar speed sign will be placed on East Burlington as cars approach downtown Riverside, near the rear of St. Mary’s Elementary School.

“This will help traffic in two ways.” Weitzel said. “It will help for eastbound cars who are coming into the village heading to the central business district, and it will also help drivers coming in and out of the school as well as the students, because that sign will be placed near the school’s playground.”

Multiple calls to administration members at Ames School and St. Mary’s School were not returned.

Police Lt. Bill Legg was one of the officers who helped conduct a survey study, which ultimately determined where the signs would be placed.

“We are placing these signs where our studies show we should get the most impact with drivers,” Legg said. “We worked with concerned area parents and school officials on placement and we feel confident this will go a long way towards providing peace of mind for the parents of students as well as safety for the students themselves.”
 

Both signs were in place and operational as of June 26.