Rockland County, NY – With the number of pedestrians involved in traffic accidents holding steady at approximately 50 per year, Ramapo police began an educational campaign today, designed to promote better safety on the town’s roadways.
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Sergeant Blaine Howell and Officer Omar Olayan were part of a four man team stationed near the intersection of Route 306 and Rita Avenue in Monsey this afternoon.
Dressed in street clothes, Sergeant Howell attempted to cross Route 306 at the crosswalk just north of Rita Avenue, with Officer Olayan, also dressed as a civilian, radioing ahead to two more police officers to indicate which vehicles should be pulled over to receive a short education on pedestrian safety. New York State law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians and intersections.
“Initially we will just be giving out educational material,” Sergeant Howell told VIN News. “It is unfair to start handing out summonses for a law that hasn’t been enforced forever, so for now we want to get the word out. Once that happens, we will start issuing summonses.”
The Ramapo Police Department said that within the first 75 minutes of today’s safety campaign, 46 drivers were pulled over for failing to yield to Sergeant Howell as he attempted to cross the street within the crosswalk.
Sergeant Howell was quick to note that this new effort was not a vehicle to bring more money into the town’s coffers.
“It is all about safety,” said Sergeant Howell who noted that five pedestrians were recently struck by vehicles in the town and that accidents are often caused by pedestrians who are not paying attention to traffic conditions.
Two sixteen year old girls were hit by a car as they were crossing Route 306 in Wesley Hills on the night of September 7th and a 76 year old man was killed after he was hit by a car as he crossed the street in front of Monsey’s Satmar Shul on July 17th.
Officer Olayan, who routinely speaks about safety in Ramapo’s public and private schools, said that children need to be educated on safety from the youngest ages, including how to safely cross a street as well as school bus and bicycle safety.
“We go into all the public schools and as many as the private schools as we can,” noted Sergeant Howell. “We are doing the best we can.”
In an effort to further entice children to make safety a priority, Ramapo police are teaming up with several local businesses, offering rewards to children spotted wearing bicycle helmets and crossing at cross walks. Among the incentives being offered are hamburgers from McDonalds, with both 7-11 and Rockland Kosher supermarket.
With most of the Monsey women not driving and the overpopulation in the area you might as well just put your car on Park and walk home.
it’s time to admit the overdevelopment was a mistake nothing can fix the problems now.
They need more sidewalks too. I saw police by Ralph and 306. I thought they were planning to ut in lights.
Safety starts at home. Parents need to teach their kids to follow the laws.
all drivers must start respecting the law and other people on the road.
red lights and stop signs have become optional in the minds of many.