My thought would be that if we install speed bumps on South Shore Road we would get quite a few requests for speed bumps throughout town … I think we would be overwhelmed with these requests.”

Police Chief Scott Raynes

LITTLE COMPTON — Added police patrols and an electronic speed sign are among the methods Police Chief Scott Raynes will employ to slow drivers bound for South Shore Beach this summer.

Second grader Coco Smith brought her concerns about speeding along the South Shore Road approach to the beach at the March 18 Town Council meeting.

“We live close enough to South Shore that we could walk or bike, but it is dangeress and scary because it is a narrow road and cars are flying by,” she wrote.

Chief Raynes offered his ideas at the council’s May 6 meeting.

• Police patrols will be directed to the area during heavy travel times to and from the beach.

• The speed trailer will be deployed on South Shore Road, Long Highway, Maple Avenue, Shore Road and Brownell Road (alternating locations throughout the week). The trailer is also capable of counting vehicles and recording vehicle speeds (and times of day).

• An electronic sign board will be deployed in those same areas advising motorists of “strict enforcement” regarding speed, seatbelt use and distracted driving.

• Overtime police personnel will be assigned to the area for additional enforcement using federal ‘Blue Riptide’ grant money that also includes specialized training for officers.

• Social media posts will be made alerting motorists to enhanced enforcement throughout the summer.

A viewer contacted the meeting to request that special attention be given to the sharp curve just before the beach where pedestrians walk along the road’s edge.

Another viewer asked about speed bumps, a suggestion in Coco’s initial letter.

“I would defer that to the Town Council and town administrator,” Chief Raynes replied.

“My thought would be that if we install speed bumps on South Shore Road we would get quite a few requests for speed bumps throughout town … I think we would be overwhelmed with these requests.” He added that he has a meeting scheduled with residents of another area who also want speed bumps.

Council member Paul Golembeske asked whether roadside brush has been cleared in the area of that corner to improve visibility.

Council member Anya Wallack said she walks and runs on these roads and believes that “anything you can do to slow drivers on the corridors” that lead to the beach roads will help.

The police chief agreed to provide an update at the council’s second meeting in July.

In other action, the council:

• Voted 4-1 (councilor Gary Mataronas opposed) to approve an amendment to the town’s Special Flood Hazard Areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had required the town to bring its flood insurance rate maps up to date to meet FEMA standards. There was no comment from the public or members of the council.

• Voted unanimously to send a letter of congratulations to two members of the police department for “significant anniversaries” — 20 years in the job. The two are Deputy Chief/Lieutenant John Faria and Sergeant John Harris.

• Agreed to allow Town Administrator Antonio Teixeira to advertise for proposals to provide a Geographic Information System (GIS).

Councilor Mataronas asked whether the town has been putting money aside to pay for this — “It has been on the back burner for six or seven years.”

Mr. Teixeira said money has indeed been set aside for the project, and he thanked all involved in a “team effort.”

• Approved a request from Hawaiian Jim’s Shave Ice & Co. to set up a mobile lemonade/ice cream truck at South Shore Beach.