Brent showed up to last month's safety committee meeting with questions about speeding enforcement and speeding tickets, and comments about speeding vehicles and pedestrian safety on Warren. Captain David Miller's responses were deplorable and embarrassing, not to mention completely unprofessional. "If you had come last month, I had that information. Sorry," was one. Brent showed up again this past Monday to the June meeting with the same question about speeding tickets and was again stonewalled by HPD. Miller told him, "I don't have that information with me." All Miller had to do was tell him the truth: "We don't enforce the speeding limit downtown, so we don't issue any speeding tickets to speak of. Sorry.". HPD has never been interested in creating safe streets. They'd rather ignore the issue than do anything about it. Heck, they may have convinced themselves there is no speeding problem. Speeding, it's just the way it's always been. And always will be.
Yes, Jack, the speeding situation -- and general increased use of the alleys -- has gotten out of hand. Too many people cutting through to avoid lights, too many driving way too fast. HPD will never acknowledge there is a problem in our alleys because there is literally nothing they can do about it. And drivers know it, just like on our streets. They know there is no such thing as speed enforcement. I honestly think the speeding problem has worsened since the speed limit was dropped 5 mph to 25.
I'm encouraged that the conversation is happening. The trailer is a good first step because it gives us something all sides should want: facts. Residents may be right about what they're experiencing, or we may be wrong. Either way, gathering data helps move the discussion beyond assumptions and toward solutions that make sense for Hudson.
“More people are walking these streets than ever before” is a curious thing to write about a city that once had twice the current population and none of the cars.
Ahistorical perspective aside, the larger point stands. And some of the interventions require nothing more than paint.
My point was less about citywide population and more about how Warren Street functions today. The commercial core attracts residents, visitors, shoppers, diners, hotel guests, and people on foot throughout the day in ways that place different demands on the street than in the past. Regardless, I think we agree on the larger point that some meaningful improvements require little more than paint and attention.
NYS doesn't really have "home rule" the way most folks would understand that term. I think the reason is that so many local governing bodies are poorly financed, trained, staffed, etc. So, rather than have a lot of local governments flailing, they force a number of potential decisions with a high perceived rate of potential negative externalities to pass through the state legislature. Just my perception.
Brent showed up to last month's safety committee meeting with questions about speeding enforcement and speeding tickets, and comments about speeding vehicles and pedestrian safety on Warren. Captain David Miller's responses were deplorable and embarrassing, not to mention completely unprofessional. "If you had come last month, I had that information. Sorry," was one. Brent showed up again this past Monday to the June meeting with the same question about speeding tickets and was again stonewalled by HPD. Miller told him, "I don't have that information with me." All Miller had to do was tell him the truth: "We don't enforce the speeding limit downtown, so we don't issue any speeding tickets to speak of. Sorry.". HPD has never been interested in creating safe streets. They'd rather ignore the issue than do anything about it. Heck, they may have convinced themselves there is no speeding problem. Speeding, it's just the way it's always been. And always will be.
ReplyDeleteHell, people speed down the damn alleys!
ReplyDeleteYes, Jack, the speeding situation -- and general increased use of the alleys -- has gotten out of hand. Too many people cutting through to avoid lights, too many driving way too fast. HPD will never acknowledge there is a problem in our alleys because there is literally nothing they can do about it. And drivers know it, just like on our streets. They know there is no such thing as speed enforcement. I honestly think the speeding problem has worsened since the speed limit was dropped 5 mph to 25.
ReplyDeleteI'm encouraged that the conversation is happening. The trailer is a good first step because it gives us something all sides should want: facts. Residents may be right about what they're experiencing, or we may be wrong. Either way, gathering data helps move the discussion beyond assumptions and toward solutions that make sense for Hudson.
ReplyDelete“More people are walking these streets than ever before” is a curious thing to write about a city that once had twice the current population and none of the cars.
ReplyDeleteAhistorical perspective aside, the larger point stands. And some of the interventions require nothing more than paint.
My point was less about citywide population and more about how Warren Street functions today. The commercial core attracts residents, visitors, shoppers, diners, hotel guests, and people on foot throughout the day in ways that place different demands on the street than in the past. Regardless, I think we agree on the larger point that some meaningful improvements require little more than paint and attention.
DeleteIs it affordable to install cameras that detect speeding and result in tickets on Warren and other streets where speeding is pervasive?
ReplyDeleteRequires an enabling act from Albany.
Delete"Home Rule", except Hudson needs Albany's permission to point a camera at its own streets.
Live free or get fined.
A skeptic would say this is one of many small ways that the state forces all politicians to kiss their ring, endorse, donations etc.
NYS doesn't really have "home rule" the way most folks would understand that term. I think the reason is that so many local governing bodies are poorly financed, trained, staffed, etc. So, rather than have a lot of local governments flailing, they force a number of potential decisions with a high perceived rate of potential negative externalities to pass through the state legislature. Just my perception.
Delete