New lights are not enough

New lights are not enough

Regarding the installation of new safety lights on Broad Ave. in Englewood, in front of Ahavath Torah (Sept. 23), the donation from Luna Road is extremely generous, and greatly appreciated. And the hard work of the Englewood policemen and policewomen who keep residents safe is truly appreciated. It’s not nearly enough, however, especially considering this is already nine months after Dr. Kudowitz (my father) was struck down on Broad Ave. Those safety lights can only help as part of larger improvements to road and pedestrian safety, which I haven’t seen yet. Chief O’Keefe has called this “kind of the final component of a pretty comprehensive plan to enhance pedestrian safety around the synagogue,” but (1) a radar sign placed on Broad Avenue was only there for around a week; (2) speed bumps which were initially present on Broad Avenue were removed (even though similar speed bumps were kept on Lydecker St.); (3) many of the light bulbs in street lamps along Broad Ave. remain out for extended periods of time; and, most important, (4) drivers continue (unchecked for the most part) to speed on the street, and fail to yield to crossing pedestrians (even in broad daylight,) notwithstanding the presence of crosswalks and signs in the middle of the road. A lot more needs to be done, and a lot more already should have been done. Nine months is a long time, and the slowness of government is hardly an acceptable excuse when it comes to public safety. On an additional note, my father was not walking home from Ahavath Torah, but from my sister’s home. No improvements to pedestrian safety have been made on that part of Broad Ave., as far as I can tell. Ultimately, though, there are serious safety issues along all of Broad Ave., not just one particular stretch of the road. Those issues should have been substantially addressed by now.

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