Drivers speeding through Deltona neighborhood prompt resident complaints, city steps toward speed bumps

A Deltona homeowner says drivers routinely speed through his neighborhood, and he believes it has made the street unsafe for families and children playing outside.

Jeff Ensminger, who has lived on Staten Drive for six years, said he has noticed fewer parents and children out walking lately.

“When I first moved in, for the first couple of years, it was common to see mothers pushing their kids in strollers or walking their kids, or senior citizens walking their dogs,” Ensminger said. “But I’ve noticed in the last three to four years you rarely see that.”

Ensminger said drivers and e-bikes have sped down the street well above the posted 25 MPH speed limit.

He said he has nearly been hit twice, and claims a child was hit last year in the area around Staten Drive and S. Courtland Boulevard.

He also described what he said was a close call last Friday, when he said a driver ignored a stop sign and sped toward children playing basketball in the roadway.

“He sped up right into where those kids were playing basketball,” Ensminger said. “The last second, they all jumped out of the way. He had no intention of slowing for the stop sign or the kids, and my heart dropped.”

In recent years, Ensminger said he has repeatedly contacted the Volusia Sheriff’s Office seeking periodic patrols, including calling and emailing, but he said he has not seen much enforcement on his street.

“It’s extremely rare to see a sheriff’s vehicle on our street,” Ensminger said. “You’d have a better chance of seeing a unicorn.”

This week, Ensminger said, he learned of new momentum at Deltona City Hall.

The update comes after he emailed a number of county and city leaders following Friday’s disturbing event.

Newly-elected mayor Maritza Avila-Vazquez emailed the city manager on Monday asking to begin the speed-bump process.

That process typically entails conducting a traffic study for the area, followed by continued collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office to determine the best path forward.

In an email to News 6 on Monday night, commissioner Brandy Lee White, who also was recently sworn in to her position, said it is among her first priorities.

“I will put forth whatever effort is necessary to ensure that this is resolved,” she wrote. “I also would encourage residents to give the newly elected a chance to resolve any other concerns or questions they may have had in the past that were left unresolved or unanswered. My goal is to repair our relationship with our residents and rebuild the trust that was lost throughout all these years.”

Ensminger is hopeful about the progress after years of waiting for answers.

“I think it’s great,” Ensminger said. “It’s the first real hope I’ve had on this issue since moving here. I’m confident speed bumps will deter the issue because nobody’s going to want to speed their new lowrider Corvette over speed bumps.”

Ensminger wants enforcement on the street in addition to a traffic study or safety other measures.

News 6 has reached out to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. On Tuesday, Sheriff Mike Chitwood provided the following response:

“As far as the Sheriff is concerned, we will continue providing the highest level of service to our community and will not be intimidated by people that no matter what we do aren’t gonna be happy.”