Residents with a heavy foot who drive through Bird Rock may want to consider easing off the pedal. Traffic officers have recently been spotted on La Jolla Boulevard checking for speeding and other violations at the behest of the Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC). In an effort to calm the traffic situation that President Joe Parker calls “absolutely incredible,” the council has enlisted the help of the police and their radar guns, asking for an increased police presence to address the problem. “It’s something I’m very worried about,” Parker said. “People routinely hit the gas coming out of the roundabouts [on La Jolla Boulevard] and drive excessively fast or they’ll speed through the interior streets and alleys. Unfortunately, the majority of them are our own residents.” Parker said he is particularly concerned about the behavior of motorists during school hours, when parents are rushing to pick up or drop off their children at school. The problem, he said, is not limited to speeding. Failure to stop at stop signs, texting while driving and exiting alleyways with a blind corner at high speeds are all offenses he has witnessed often, he said. In addition to the presence of police officers, Parker said there is also an opportunity for vigilant residents to do their part. An officer who is assigned to Bird Rock Elementary will receive complaints lodged by citizens who witness violations. “The traffic problem is so significant at [Bird Rock Elementary] and traffic safety is a major concern during school hours,” he said. “If a homeowner sees a repeat or known violator, they can contact the school and the officer will reach out to the individual. I have to assume that school staff and parents are taking advantage of this arrangement, because I’ve been told it’s effective.” Parker said one of the concerns is that drivers often use the interior streets to avoid the traffic and roundabouts on La Jolla Boulevard. As a result, the streets that used to be quiet are heavily traveled and, he said, drivers often fail to obey basic traffic laws. Parker doesn’t blame the increase in traffic on side streets solely on the roundabouts, however. “[The roundabouts] have contributed to more traffic on the interior streets, but it’s also the result of the redevelopment of the whole neighborhood,” he said. “And, of course, the redevelopment is a good thing, but we’re just concerned about people being respectful and careful when navigating our narrow streets.”