This petition is to formally request the installation of a push-button traffic light on Brookline street (at the intersection of Hartman rd.) to help elementary school children and their families cross Brookline street safely. 

Why?

Memorial Spaulding Elementary School is located on the notoriously dangerous Brookline street, where vehicles rarely observe speed limits and drivers often fail to stop for crossing pedestrians who are mostly children. In 2020, a crossing guard was run over by a vehicle while on duty and while trying to help elementary age children cross the street. Students and families, who live in the area, observe near-miss accidents almost daily as cars tend to speed up and drivers have a hard time slowing down for pedestrians.

The immediate installation of a push button traffic light is critical because:

1. School age children who live in the area need to cross Brookline street outside of the working hours of crossing guards (i.e. due to early morning or after-school sports and activities)

2. Middle school and high school students bike and walk to school at different times of the day, none of which coincide with the hours when crossing guards are on duty. 

3. Neighbors and residents have a very hard time crossing Brookline street as drivers rarely obey speed limits or crosswalk safety.

4. Crossing guards have a hard time making vehicles stop due to cars' high speed and drivers' blatant disobedience of traffic safety.

5. Out-of-the area drivers are usually not even aware of the proximity of the school due to poor markings and signage. 

6. A traffic light with all appropriate street markings and additional safety features (such as a wider blue zone, newly painted and elevated crosswalk, better signs indicating a school zone) align with our City goal to build a SAFER and MORE SOCIALLY ENGAGED community.  

Conclusion:

We respectfully request the City of Newton's immediate action to improve the safety on Brookline street by 1) installing a push-button traffic light for pedestrians and 2) improving marking and signage including but not limited to wider blue zone, new signs, freshly painted crosswalk, flashing lights, etc.