NY1 @ E.P./Washington

Subject: update

Here is a long-winded update. Sadly as it turns out, on Monday NY1 called me while I was waiting for them & told me that they drove by earlier & saw that there was a crosswalk there & a "Yield to Pedestrians" sign & so didn't understand why there was a problem. I, once again, explained the multiple problems with the intersection, especially that drivers blatantly disregard the crosswalk and sign. I wish that had at least met with us to look at the intersection in person.

They actually said that if drivers weren't obeying the crosswalk/pedestrian yield sign, the solution should be that the police should ticket people there. I applaud them for their idealism, but would our police precinct ever do this & would it actually be a deterrent? Maybe they would; maybe I am too cynical. Maybe we could get the cops I saw going into the subway this morning--with their table & sign announcing they were foraging for terrorists with suspicious backpacks--to position themselves at the intersection.

When I called both our precinct & the Community Board about getting a school crossing guard they both said the big public school complex was a different precinct/community board, respectively. Well, there are plenty of kids on this side of the street.

I can't help but wonder if we were 4 blocks over in Park Slope if things would be different. In fact, last week I walked by PS 282 at 11am one weekday morning & there was a crossing guard on the corner without a child in sight. I asked her why she was there & she said she had hours to make up. Bring her over here! PS has a very active civic association. Perhaps the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council (PHNDC) can expand their purview now that Atlantic Yards seems to be slipping away. I definitely think that we should resurrect the E.P. block council now that its former ringleader, Rob Witherwax has moved inland.

All that said, I am peeved but also busy so I don't know how far I can take it. In fact, I had let this go thinking soon we will have our proper crosswalk when the median strip project is completed, but then NY1 called me so I figured lets get the project rolling or at least get a crossing guard. But, once again the median project is behind—I am expecting an update on the project status early next week. If it keeps stretching out, more reason for me to keep at it as statistically there is more chance my kids will be hit by a car.

BTW, NY1 is ironically at the intersection right now reporting on the hearing on MTA proposed cuts at the Brooklyn Museum. If the cuts go through we will lose the B71 (E.P. down Union bus) & there will be even more foot & car traffic at the intersection.

Many thanks to all of you who have shown your support. I think it at this point it may make sense to get a group of people to attend the monthly (I think) precinct community meeting. Please let me know if you would be interested in attending or participating in another way (petition, for ex.)--the more the merrier: [email protected]