Newark switches on red-light cameras: Safe Streets for Newark!

By Sharon Adarlo/The Star-Ledger

December 16, 2009, 6:00AM

Sharon Adarlo/The Star-Ledger

A newly installed red-light camera (seen here in as black box with a white flashlight) at a Newark intersection. The cameras go live today.

NEWARK -- Starting today, motorists could get a ticket for running a red light in this city, even if there isn’t a police officer nearby.

With the help of recently installed cameras, drivers will get a $85 fine in the mail if they run red lights at Broad and Market streets or Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard, two of the city’s busiest intersections, said city officials Tuesday at Military Park, from which there’s a clear view of the black box-shaped cameras. During a trial period that started on Nov. 16, about 3,000 drivers have been issued warning letters instead.

"This is an initiative that will make a safer city," said Mayor Cory Booker, who called it the first red light camera system in the state. "We will no longer tolerate a high number of vehicular and pedestrian accidents."

Civic Engagement in Society Hill

Interesting article from Philly. When will Newark start using this tool?

http://www.weeklypress.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=1638&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2392&hn=weeklypress&he=.com

Instead of relying on 311 to report potholes, graffiti or faded crosswalks, what if one could report then track them on a website devoted to that purpose?

As residents who attended the Society Hill Civic Association meeting last Wednesday, November 18th learned, neighborhood issues can be followed through the site See, Click, Fix.

"It links residents, the media and government officials to local," explained Mark Abraham, from the New Haven Independent who reports on issue posted to the See, Click, Fix site. Besides those listed above, such problems could also include prostitution or drug sales.

"It’s also a tool that let’s residents have ideas about a way a neighborhood could be redesigned," said Abraham, adding, "or in the case of neighborhoods like Society Hill, with its planters and well-maintained trees, these could be referred to as See, Click, Love."

Currently used in New York City and Boston, the community ultimately wins. Unlike calling into services such as 311, dozens of people will see what the problem is right away, Abraham explained adding that "they’ll become encouraged when they see that the problem was fixed and the government official who fixed it looks accountable."

There’s even an iphone component, continued Abraham that allows one to report problems by taking pictures. The application also gives them the option to post comments on the issues as well as view comments from others.

Know anyone into bicycle and pedestrian advocacy on Twitter?

Interesting Tweet here. Suggest a few!

Urbandata: Please RT @urbandata/urban-bike-advocacy Need to #follow more urban bike advocates! Can't get enough! #bikenyc @bcgp

Toddler in Stroller Run over on Halloween

http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/9476

In Carson City, Nevada. Sad story. Please be careful out there!

Blocked Bike Lane in Philadelphia: What do you do?

Interesting Tweet:

What can you do about blocked bike lanes in Philly? Gov't response: http://bit.ly/1XON89 @bcgp @bikeambassadors #open311 @streetsblog #p2

Blocked Bike Lane in New York City

At entrance to the Manhattan Bridge, for god's sake!

http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/8889

Pesky landlords failing to provide heat and hot water?

Keep a close watch on those NYC-area landlords, especially as it gets cold. Pretty cool new site: http://heatwatchnyc.org/ http://www.seeclickfix.com/ that could be used to report missing bike racks, as well.

Cory Booker Tweet on Tour de Newark Bike Ride (2:01PM, 10/2)

corybooker: Grab your bicycle & join me on Sat 10/17 for "Tour de Newark." It will be a great day of biking fun! For info: http://is.gd/3SHYq . Follow Mayor Booker on Twitter for more.

How to take citizen action on a deadly bridge crossing

A great summary here: http://www.bikebridgeport.com/2009/09/deadly-bridge-on-route-1-in-connecticut.html

Placemaking and Urban Design through Small Public Exercises

Interesting post on Bike Buffalo about citizen-led grassroots design solutions to the problem of too many parking lots in a city: http://www.bikebuffalo.com/2009/09/placemaking-design-competition-through.html

Jersey Journal: Secaucus police van accident injures prisoners and cop in Newark

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/09/secaucus_police_van_accident_i.html

A Secaucus police van slammed into the rear end of a truck on Route 1&9 in Newark while transporting the prisoners to the Hudson County jail in Kearny on Tuesday, leaving five prisoners and a police officer hurt, according to a report in The Jersey Journal.

Logan Square Neighborhood Association, in Philly, Connects Directly to Philly311

This from the SeeClickFix blog. Check here to see what it looks like: http://www.lsnaphilly.org/display/EXT/Online+311

Can Newark use the same technology to empower citizens?

The Logan Square Neighborhood Association is an all-volunteer community organization. It is dedicated to maintaining and improving the Logan Square neighborhood for the enjoyment of all who come there to live, work and visit.

Rob Stuart of Logan Square says, "We think it's one of the greatest neighborhoods in the world but with SeeClickFix we hoping to make it even better!"

I actually got to visit with Rob a few months back and agree that it is one of the Greatest Neighborhoods in the world (a close second to Upper State Street of course). You can really tell that their is a dedicated civic population that cares deeply about their community. Its also is really cool that they are nearly in the heart of downtown Philly, a few blocks from the river and its still pretty peaceful.Check out their site here: http://www.lsnaphilly.org

Many of LSNA's issues have to do with traffic and pedestrian efficiency and safety. Here's an example of one: http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/5633

C.S. Wrote: Entire stretch between 23rd and 22nd in disrepair. The street is worn down to the original cobbles and entire sections of those are missing!

Philly311 Responded: A repair request have been sent reference # 374-512. Thank you!

Anti Bike, Anti Pedestrian Coburn Amendment Fails on Senate Floor

http://t4america.org/blog/2009/09/16/details-on-the-anti-bike-and-ped-amendments-in-the-senate/

Senator McCain's amendments to cut public transportation projects are still on the Senate floor today, apparently. If you do not support cuts to public transit (especially since McCain's amendments leave highway projects untouched), and are from or know anyone who lives in states that are home to Sens. Klobuchar (MN), Bayh (IN), McCaskill (MO), Feingold (WS), or Webb (VA), it might be worth asking them to make calls to these Senators as soon as possible. http://t4america.org/ has more info.