What were they responding to? Maybe they were responding to a critical maintenance incident, or something else that was very urgent that required a very rapid response. Sometimes we just need to trust that our public service providers are exercising their best judgement, and that they are weighing road conditions against the need for expediency, and are still able to drive safely. I highly doubt that they were just going to lunch, or racing back to the time clock. I sometimes see people driving down Buena Vista Avenue going much faster than 40 miles per hour, and they are probably only running late to work.

As a community member, I don’t necessarily see this as a “misdeed,” nor do I look at it "negatively.” Maybe we should give them the benefit of the doubt, considering that we don’t necessarily know what they were responding to, nor the exigency of the situation.

Really? Since when is Public Works Dept a first responder? Give me a break.

Unfortunately the Alameda city government has been on a rapid downward spiral into corruption for the past few years. Alameda's stunning reputation of being a great, safe and quiet city is coming to an abrupt end. Crime is on the rise on the island, the Alameda police department is no longer enforcing laws and honoring their long tradition of being tough on crime, and the Alameda city government seems to be going the way of Oakland. At this rate, the island of Alameda will become like west and east Oakland in the next 10-20 years.

Mario:
I get what you're saying but given the size of the island I can think of zero reasons for anyone side from licensed officers who are trained to drive safely at high speed, when using lights and sirens, should decide to save themselves a few seconds to drive at excessive speeds and endanger their fellow Alamedans.

Thank you for the information. I have copied the Public Works Superintendent and the Recreation and Parks Department Head on this matter. They will make sure to speak with their employees and remind them all they need to stay within the speed limit of the City, nothing is that urgent. Thank you for your time and patience. Sincerely, Gail Carlson, Public Works

Dear PW Admin Gail--Thank you for an excellent response. As an Alameda resident, I'm not looking for perfection from Public Works, I'm looking for exactly this kind of response to reported safety issues. Good job!