San Jose District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager, San Jose Police Chief William Landesdowne, Jim Helmer of the San Jose Department of Transportation and nearly 200 Willow Glen residents were present at the meeting at the Willow Glen High School cafeteria.

Yeager opened by stating how glad he was to see the large turnout and how he understands that Willow Glen experiences typical California traffic problems such as "impolite drivers and Hollywood stops" (cars not coming to a complete stop when making a right turn).

Landesdowne said that he takes pride in being part of a city that is one of the safest large cities in America, but added, "The number one issue the police department hears about in every single neighborhood is traffic."

Using a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, slides displayed the meeting's agenda, traffic policies, the background of Hicks Avenue traffic and an evaluation of the traffic calming measures.

Helmer stated that traffic calming has two components: basic and comprehensive. Basic measures include placing a radar trailer to warn drivers of their speeds and posting signs restricting left or right turns during certain hours. Comprehensive measures include using road bumps or constructing median islands.

Helmer said that, working with the police, the transportation department has monitored morning and evening commutes along Hicks Avenue and nearby streets, Cherrydale Drive, Cherry, Hamilton/Pine, Hicks, Curtner and Minnesota avenues.

Helmer presented color-coded street maps that showed where green-highlighted traffic calming measures were put in place on Hicks Avenue. Even with the benefit of a microphone, Helmer's voice softened in anticipation of the audiences' vocal reaction to the next slide showing red-lined Cherry Avenue, which inherited Hicks Avenue's cut-through traffic.

After the San Jose Police Department began enforcing the traffic calming measures in April, it allowed a three-week grace period to warn motorists. Then the SJPD issued 460 citations.

Helmer said his office had received about 90 calls from residents. They requested that motorists use the arterial street rather than residential streets. Callers said that the turn restrictions were guiding motorists to residential streets and that the calming measures made it difficult to conveniently travel through the Willow Glen community. Some argued that Hicks Avenue is a through street and therefore should take on more traffic.

Some short-term actions include reducing the speed limit on Hicks Avenue from 30 mph to 25 mph and placing median islands and road bumps on Hamilton Way, and a traffic signal light at Meridian and Hamilton avenues that works on a timer.

Long-term measurers include installing a sidewalk curb, a gutter and street lighting on Hamilton Avenue from Meridian to Hamilton Way.

About 50 audience members lined up for the public hearing session.