Should I say that I am thrilled and excited that finally after so many years the long awaited crossing indicator has been installed at the corner of New Bridge and Surrey in Bergenfield? Yes of course, it is a step in the right direction. It allows people to cross at that corner by pushing a button indicating with a light that the traffic should stop for pedestrians.

First and foremost, however, is the question of how does this help us on Shabbat? We all know that it does not. Needless to say that when the men are returning from shul on Motzei Shabbat wearing their dark suits and rarely donning a reflector this will allow them to press the button to indicate to drivers that they need to slow down and hopefully stop for those crossing. I say hopefully, as we know that often people decide they own the road and realize their cars are bigger in size than the people trying to get across the street. I tried in vain today to speak with someone at the county office to find out how this finally came about. Could part of the reason be that just in the past year at least five people were hit and almost lost their lives by drivers not stopping at crosswalks on New Bridge? Could it be that we were getting closer to someone dying from their injuries? Honestly I was dreading that news and yet expecting it to happen sooner rather than later. It took the loss of a life and a traumatic brain injury for Teaneck to immediately step up to the plate and properly install necessary crosswalk apparatuses on many streets.

I have copies of all of my articles in which I lamented the dangerous situation we were all living with over the years. It started shortly after we moved here and I realized the great danger that everyone on this side of New Bridge faced each time they attempted to cross that corner. I begged the city council, I met with Mayor Amatorio and the city administrator, Corey Gallo, in my home. I insisted that they come at night so they could experience the dangers of trying to cross New Bridge Road in the pitch dark. That particular meeting took place 3 1/2 years ago. Although I was told they would get back to me as soon as they had further information, neither has ever had the common courtesy to do so. There is no way in a million years that I give them an ounce of credit for this new installation.

I wish to thank all of you who came out that Friday night many years ago to show support for the need to rectify this problem, to those who have encouraged me to continue with the push to do something and especially to those of you who yourselves spoke up either at a town council meeting or by contacting city hall. As the issue intensified and our community has grown further south of New Bridge, so many more have been attempting to cross the street, including those going to BMOB or Ohr Torah.

This is just a slight drop of icing which I am proud to say that I was involved with, but keep in mind that this town has so much more to do to make our streets safer for everyone. Each time I watch a child walking by himself on streets that have no sidewalks I cringe. I cringe for myself also when trying to maneuver the crossing at Thames and Westminster. Cars come zooming around the corner with children busy playing in the playground and outside on the street as well.

I worry at night while walking through the streets of our community that have no lighting on them at all. Notably Mr. Gallo mentioned to me that particularly on Westminster Gate between Highgate and Westminster there was pure blackness. He noted so as he parked his car there. Literally one cannot see where they are going and have to hope that they are not about to fall onto a large pile of leaves that are impossible to see in the darkness.

Yes we have moved a step in the right direction b”H. There is still so much more to do and please join me in continuing to advocate for our needs as best we can. The communal voice must be strong and not attributed to one person. Remember to be an advocate for change in our community.