A local community association president is hoping that the Saskatoon Police Service will beef up their patrols along 33rd Street where a nine year-old girl was struck and killed by a vehicle in September.

Diane Bentley with the Hudson Bay Park/Mayfair/Kelsey-Woodlawn community association wrote a letter and spoke to the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Thursday asking for a greater police presence.

She says that having police in the area prevents people from distracted driving and makes motorists more aware of their surroundings.

Deputy Chief Randy Huisman with the Saskatoon Police Service says from September 14th to October 17th, the traffic unit on eight different 12-hour durations, issued 49 summary offence tickets and a Check Stop caught seven drivers under the influence.

The Deputy Chief says recently over a course of 11 days, a speed review was conducted on 33rd near Avenue I with 85 per cent drivers abiding the law.

“Speeds were faster going eastbound when school zones were not in effect and speeds were highest between 1:30p.m. and 3:45 p.m. on weekends and between 7:15 and 8:30 and 5 to 6 p.m. on weekdays.”

Huisman says the Saskatoon Police Service will continue to monitor the 33rd Street corridor along with the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Bentley says she will be forwarding some recommendations to the City’s transportation committee on how to improve pedestrian safety along 33rd Street. The fatal collision is still under investigation.