Tuesday Tip: Why is that officer standing by that traffic signal?

Have you ever been driving through Arcadia on a Saturday or Sunday and seen an Arcadia Police Officer standing on the corner next to the traffic signal and wondered “Why is that officer standing there?”     Well the answer is likely that the officer is operating the traffic signals to help traffic flow when patrons are entering and/or leaving the Santa Anita Race Track.

Since the race track first opened, Arcadia Police Officers have worked traffic control posts around the track to keep traffic moving more efficiently.  Originally officers would stand in the intersections and direct traffic by hand.  Today, most of the traffic posts have an officer standing on the corner, manually changing the overhead traffic signals by depressing a button.  The officer evaluates the traffic flow and changes the signals according to traffic demands.

This year live racing at Santa Anita runs from December 26, 2013 through June 29, 2014 and again from the end of September to the beginning of November 2014.  Likely the busiest traffic days related to the track are going to be during The Breeders Cup weekend which will take place on October 31 and November 1, 2014. 

Always remember to drive safely, wear your seat belts, and don’t drink and drive.