Problem Solvers: ‘Disaster waiting to happen’: Bend neighbors call for action on dangerous speeds along NE Purcell Boulevard
Jillian Fortner
(Jillian Fortner has a Problem Solvers report at 6)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Residents in a Northeast Bend neighborhood are raising concerns about frequent speeding on their street.
Linn Harrison, who lives between Empire Avenue and Yeoman Road, says drivers often speed through at 45 to 60 miles per hour, well above what’s safe for a residential area.
Jillian Fortner is talking with neighbors, city officials and police about the issue. Watch her Problem Solvers report tonight at 6 on KTVZ News.
“We can’t have people going 50, 60, 70 miles an hour in a residential zone,” said resident Linn Harrison.
He and other neighbors say the issue is especially concerning given the location: right next to Ponderosa Elementary School and Pine Nursery Park.
“When you have an elementary school and a park right next door, it’s just a disaster waiting to happen,” said resident Chad Nathanson.
Some residents believe the lack of speed limit signs, particularly in the northbound direction, adds to the problem. Assistant City Engineer Janet Ruby says a northbound sign may be missing near the school zone due to spacing limitations.
“It’s a challenge just spatially,” Ruby said. “We don’t want to put a 35 mile an hour sign and then ten feet later have the 20 mile an hour sign.”
The city conducted a speed study in the area in 2023. The results showed most drivers were going under 35 miles per hour, with an average speed of 29. Still, Ruby acknowledged that it only takes a few outliers to create a lasting impression.
Harrison says he’s contacted the city, Bend Police, and even the mayor over the years, but feels his concerns haven’t been addressed.
“Nothing happens,” he said.
So far in 2025, Bend Police say they’ve received more than 1,200 traffic complaints across the city. They prioritize enforcement based on crash data and recurring issues.
“We do have to be strategic about where our officers, go and spend their time doing speed work,” said Sheila Miller, Communications Manager for Bend Police.
Miller said officers do receive complaints about Purcell in general, but not as many near the Empire–Yeoman section. She encourages residents to report consistently when problems arise.
City engineers say they haven’t received any recent formal complaints about that stretch of Purcell. They recommend using the city’s BendWorks portal to ensure concerns are routed to the appropriate department.
“I’d love to have a conversation about what they’re seeing,” Ruby said. “People who live there are our best input. They might notice something we haven’t thought of.”