Crime & Safety

Is Westfield a Safe Place for Pedestrians?

Despite an accident, most think drivers obey the law.

Last week's accident, where a 25-year-old Lord & Taylor employee was hit by a car while crossing North Avenue, has brought a renewed look at pedestrian safety in Westfield. Westfield Patch talked with people at the Memorial Pool on Monday morning to find out if people think the town is a pedestrian paradise or a pedestrian danger zone.

Question

Do you think Westfield is a safe place for pedestrians?

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Answers

"No. I think that there are too many drivers otherwise engaged in things other than driving. I don't think it is safe. People need to get off their cell phone and come to stops and maybe be ticketed for reckless driving." - Lisa Urbano

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"I don't think it's the safest town. There have been a number of incidents recently. I think there definitely needs to be more attention paid to pedestrians and people with strollers and bikers. Drivers need to improve their personal responsibility in paying attention to pedestrians and get off their phone. My four-year-old tells me to get off the phone when I don't use my hands free." - Jennifer Concannon

"For the most part. Any community has areas that can be improved on. You have a 100-percent survival rate. It is much more safer than neighboring communities." Kevin Swenson

"Yes, there are a lot of crosswalks and Westfield townspeople abide by them. The speed limit is slow." - Julia Sen

"Yes, we walk everywhere and don't have a car. It is pretty safe." - Richaell Barlow

"Yes, I do." - Regina Colasanti (No Picture)

"Yes, for the most part people obey the crosswalks and are fairly aware that there are a lot of kids and teenagers." - Stephanie Williams (No Picture)

"Sometimes. We've seen a couple of close calls. I have three young boys and I've seen kids run across and cars narrowly avoid them. I am always very cautious in town." - Tracy Hanna

"Yes, there are a lot of crosswalks and mostly the cars yield to pedestrians." - Will Geoghegan

"There are a lot of sidewalks and crossing guards by all the schools so you feel safe." - Emily Miller

"Yes, I do. It is a family community and there is police in town during the main hours. I will drive by on nights and weekends and there will be police there." - Illana Margolis

"Yeah, I do as long as you are crossing at the crosswalks, it is pretty safe." Jayne Ruotolo


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