On behalf of the neighborhood community organization JC Heights Parents, I have created this petition to voice our deep concern regarding the safety of our streets. In less than four weeks, there have been FOUR* hit-and-runs in Jersey City; two of them occurred right here in The Heights (only one was publicized), one struck a kid by Grove Street, and one was fatal in Greenville. One incident was so severe that I witnessed the aftermath of a critical injury. This fear for safety on our own streets is not something we should live with.

We are calling for an increase in the completion velocity and prioritization of Vision Zero initiatives - an initiative aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. We need less testing, more doing. We need consistent road designs that set up drivers for success (traffic lights, stop signs, speed humps, change in speed zones, no parking close to crosswalks, etc).

We also need police enforcement of traffic and pedestrian safety violations to discourage offenders. Jersey City needs efficient police force resourcing and a dedicated traffic unit to mobilize these initiatives effectively. I have now been to a number of police meetings where lack of personnel is cited as the reason initiatives such as patrolling, ticketing, mobilizing safety stints, and crossing guard duties cannot be performed. There are many studies that show a link between pedestrian fatality/injury and the number of police personnel / level of ticketing. This is a nationwide epidemic, have no doubt, and Jersey City needs to take this seriously. A marketing campaign that addresses this and informs drivers that no offense will go unpunished will go a long way. 

We are committed to pushing this agenda forward and being heard- and every medium will be explored. 

Your signature can help us make our voices heard by those who have the power to implement change – let's ensure we can walk our local streets without fear! 

 

Supported by:

Riverview Neighborhood Association

Pershing Field Neighborhood Association 

Sgt. Anthony Park Neighborhood Association

Washington Park Association of Hudson County

Journal Square Community Association

Jersey City Mamas

Busy Bee of Palisades

Smart Start Academy- Palisades, Central Ave

Busy Bee Organics

The Cliff JC

The Hutton

Riverview Bark

Framework FST

Gino's Pizzeria 

Study Complete K12

The Little Nest

Love Locked

JC Kiddo Yoga and Music