In recent articles and comments by the public it has been mentioned that the is not doing its job. U-turns, speeding and a blatant disregard for the law seems to be widespread these days. Bear in mind, however, that the PWPD cannot be everywhere at once, and that part of the problem is indeed the attitude of the drivers in our community.
We have had crossing guards cursed at and almost run over as their direction to traffic falls on ignorant ears. Some have been injured by arrogant, aggressive drivers. Cyclists see themselves as "superpedestrians," running stop signs and nearly hitting pedestrians as they fly through town. Drivers forget that pedestrians have the right of way and casually roll through a stop sign.
We regularly see parents talking on a hand held device while driving to school, and if you say something you are stared at in disbelief, or told what you can do to yourself. First of all it is illegal to do so, and secondly, what signal are they sending to their children about obeying the law? Can we now decide what laws pertain to us and which we can ignore?
If we as a society are so busy that we must speed to every place we go, and are forced to multitask while we drive, then it is time to examine our lifestyles, and consider the stress we cause ourselves and the community. If you're a commuter, try to leave a few minutes earlier in the morning. As parents of school age children, consider their safety first. The Board of Commissioners in September will plan to address the parents associations of the schools in town and speak long and clearly about "careless driving": talking/texting while driving, excessive speed, and treating stop signs as suggestions rather than laws.
We are currently involved in a traffic safety initiative, which will more aggressively address the problems and those who cause them. We will do our part, but we need to be in this together. Port Washington is a great community. We all need to do a better job of looking out for our neighbors, and get them to look out for us as well.
Is there room for improvement? Of course. We can always do better. We welcome all comments and criticism by responsible citizens. We continue to ask the public for ideas, suggestions and "hot spots" where laws are being disregarded. If there are any future questions or comments for the PWPD we will be happy to read them and follow up where necessary. In the meantime, we continually advertise our public meetings, and ask you to attend to voice your opinions and concerns.
We are all in this together. Together we can get it done.
The authors of this post – James Duncan, Dave Franklin andAngela Lawlor-Mullins – serve on the Board of Commissioners of the Port Washington Police District.
WAIT UNTIL YOUR CHILD IS INJURED BY SOMEONE WHO RUNS RIGHT THROUGH THE CROSSWALK WHILE ON A CWELL PHONE WITH A DOG ON THEIR LAP. FROM WHAT I SEE EVERY DAY THE ODDS ARE INCREASING
Get the point far too many people who use our roads (regardless how they navigate) do some very sturpid things which endanger ar too many people. I am not singeling out anyone group I feel that there are dangerous, care less people in every group. Driver, walkers, joggers, Bicyclists, Skate boarders, School children (especially at 3:30 school days) Mothers with children, Bus comuters. The point at hand is dangers which do not have to happen and how will we wkae up those who create the dangers
Last month I wittnessed something every parent of youngsters needs to read. I was walking along Main Street in bettwen Mackey and the movie theaterat approx. 3:30 P. M. when I heard an earth shatering crunch. The street was full of youngsters heading home from school. Laying in the middle of the street was a crushed skate board. The noise was loud enough to bring out employees of the Clearview Theater. One young man was screaming at the driver who destroyed his skateboard and was totally undaunted by the fact that could have might still been on it when it was hit fortunately luck was on his side. The driver never stopped to see what had happned. I had to stop and lecture the youngster about what he might have caused and the fact that the board is replacablle his life is not. I told him to be thankfull the board got away from him without him on it. If he had still been on the board many of the problems we are writting about would have been looked into with great speed. I have lost count of how many times I see young people who are oblivious to the dangers they are creating when using Main Street. Not all skateboarders cause dangers but far too many do. I hope that it does not come down to a fatality to wake up a majority of those who abuse the right to use our roads.
Neither the drivers, cyclists, nor joggers are exempt from the rules of safety.
In the past week I have seen more police activity in Port Washington than I have in months the officer on a motorcycle is back on Main Street. Last Tuesday at 520am on West Shore Drive I saw a Port Washington Police Officer stop a speeding car near Bar Beach. All over Port Washington Blvd and Shore Road I see police activity finally this inefficient and inept and unpopular police department are doing their job and I hope that the Port Washington Police Department keeps this up.
It is clear from your comment, "So you're a self-important jerk that believes the road belongs to you to the extent that you stop and berate people walking and cycling on a road that has no shoulder for them to utilize? I'd flip you off too.", that you are one of those drivers who has no regard for anyone else's safety, and how dare others point that out to you.
PWPD parked in "NO STANDING" spot at curb in front of Clearview ("out of an abundance of [copy-cat] caution"), head-down doing "paperwork", completely unaware of lady in BMW making ILLEGAL U-TURN, eastbound to westbound, in front of Beacon Pharmacy.
I hope that the student is OK as I recall the women hit years ago had been permanently injured disabled for life.
Cross walks are painted there so you do not (suppossedly) enter into the path of a pedestrian when you come to a red light. No stopping zones mean just tha. Tell it to the Judge who will laugh in your face. I wish those who have come close to being accident victims will speak up in this forum as well as anyone injured along Main Street.