Resident urges earlier leaf pickup and speed cameras at Jackson Via after vehicle fires and near‑misses

A Charlottesville resident and volunteer at Jackson‑Via Elementary urged the district to coordinate earlier leaf removal and to install speed cameras at a nearby dangerous intersection after a year‑old vehicle‑fire incident and multiple on‑street driving hazards were reported.

Derek Hartline, identifying himself as a Jackson‑Via volunteer and neighborhood resident, said last year’s vehicle fires near Jackson‑Via prompted concern that accumulated leaves increase fire risk. He requested that school facilities or park and recreation pick up leaves earlier this year, proposing Monday, Nov. 3 (a staff professional day that leaves lots empty during an election) as an opportunity, and again the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Hartline also raised safety concerns at arrival and dismissal, reporting drivers speeding in the school loop, multiple accidents at the Harrison/Fifth Street intersection, and two instances in which he said drivers appeared to be impaired while driving in the school zone. He asked for a timeline on when additional speed‑zone cameras might be installed at or near Jackson‑Via, saying current enforcement presence during morning arrival has been minimal on the days he volunteers.

In public comment, Hartline also urged the district to keep posting substitute teacher and instructional assistant vacancies to address coverage challenges and noted concern about elementary staffing and compensation.

Why this matters: The volunteer’s request links facility maintenance (leaf removal) and traffic enforcement to school safety at a specific site. District or city operational responses—leaf pickup scheduling and camera deployment—would require coordination with facilities, parks and rec, and police.