Walking to shul

We live here in Teaneck, Englewood, Fair Lawn, etc., in our own little war zone. Darkness descends early these days and those heading for shul wearing their black coats, black shoes, and black hats are causing a dangerous situation walking in the middle of our roads. I am a Jewish neighbor who drives on Shabbat. There is the constant threat of hitting one of the street walkers on these dark nights as well as the dimmer days of winter. Children are walking at the sides of their parents, who should not be in the streets under any conditions; not to walk to shul, not to play during the day on Shabbat, and not to kibbitz with friends and other shul goers in the middle of intersections.

If I were to drive on the sidewalk, all hell would break lose. I do not. I drive with extreme caution, at absurdly slow speeds in this neighborhood. Apart from the lack of visibilty, there is the extreme danger of a child who is in front or to the back of my car who does not even reach the height of my rearview mirrors.

I have written variations of this letter time and again. I suggest first and foremost that no one, absolutely no one walk on the streets of our community.

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I also recommend the use of a reflector vest for all adults and all children. It may not make a fashion statement but certainly it will deter some potential accident that is sure to occur sooner or later. Parks are for children to play in; streets are not. If you meet some friends on the way home from shul, invite them to your lawn or into your home. The streets are for cars, so face it, wearing a light reflector or reflective tape, I do not believe, will descrecrate Shabbat.