Hey ClickFixers, time to start writing and e mailing the mayor’s office. Read below for details on the coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic (SIT)

New Haven Coalition to Stop Illegal Traffic

The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.

What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.

What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"

Optional:
c. If you feel comfortable, go on www.SeeClickFix.org. Select a report of illegal dirt bike or ATV riding with multiple posts, and contribute your own comment. You have the option to comment anonymously on See, Click, Fix. If you comment anonymously you will be asked for an email address but it is not displayed with the comment.

The New Haven Coalition to STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFIC (SIT) on our streets had its second meeting on Sept. 18. Alderman Justin Elicker reported that since our meeting last month, the city has started a concerted effort to address the issue of dangerous and illegal use of dirt bikes, all terrain vehicles, and other illegal motorized vehicles on our streets. Currently, police do not have the authority to seize and hold illegally operated motorized bikes and ATVs. Therefore, violators can reclaim impounded vehicles shortly after being caught by paying a small fine to the towing company.
On September 18, 2012, SIT members decided that the quickest way to make our streets safer is to rally the community in support empowering the city to take more aggressive actions against illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs.

What the city is doing:
1. The Corporation Counsel (the lawyer for the city) has been directed to explore the legality of the city taking possession of non-registered dirt bikes, atvs, etc. that have been operated illegally and destroying them. Other enforcement ordinances are also being explored.
2. The City is in conversation with state legislators about state-level action.

What Coalition members and supporters are being asked to do:
a. Call the Office of the Mayor (203)946-8200 and tell the Mayor that you are concerned about this issue and that you want results by next summer 2013.
or
b. Write to the Mayor at MayorDestefano@newhavenct.net. You may want to include the following points:
“I am a concerned citizen who is frustrated by the increase in use of illegally operated dirt bikes and ATVs on New Haven streets, inside New Haven Parks, and near playgrounds and other recreation areas. It is my understanding that the NHPD has a long standing no-chase policy, which I agree with given the chances that a chase could result in injury of an innocent bystander. However, more needs to be done. I support the city’s effort to create policies that will eliminate the reckless behavior before someone else is killed. We’ve had many close calls already in 2012; a little girl was hit by a dirt biker while waiting at a bus stop with her dad, and a dirt biker himself suffered life-threatening injuries after losing control of an unregistered illegally operated dirt bike. Please, do what is necessary. You have my support!"

In addition to the proposals of Stop Illegal Traffic, we need noise enforcement. Does anyone know how many noise enforcement tickets that NHPD has issued in Fair Haven over the past five years? I know they've ticketed a few motorcycles in the downtown area.

Don't hold your breath.

Still no contact from Traffic. Sarah

the "complete streets project" is a feel good joke. I can just imagine the pile of complete requests sitting around collecting dust right now at the broke city hall.

I live on Lenox just below the accident scene described; this accident makes me angry. I have lived here 11 years and from the beginning cars drove too fast in a 25 mph speed limit zone! In my quiet way I have tried to get correction, but NOTHING has changed. We need immediate and strong action to curb speeding, which always increases in Spring and Summer.

Does everyone know that the cops in our district do not carry radar guns(according to our top cop)?

This issue was recategorized from Other to Policing Issue.

This definitely needs to be resolved. Children ride their bicycles and people are standing at the bus stops. We were out one night walking our dogs and a car going down Clifton from Eastern Street doing about 50 miles per hour and rear ended a van going into a driveway because they had no time to stop. We need a light or speed bumps immediately! I don't think a four way stop will work, they will still go through it without stopping.

I was involved in an accident here. I was rear ended while sitting at the stop sign yielding for west bound clifton speeders. I was heading north on russel sitting at the sign when i was hit from behind. This intersection is no good as it is.

Has anyone talked with the Alderperson regarding this issue?

I agree, we need some speed bumps, some red light cameras, some NHPD cops ticketing speeders on Q Ave. I don't feel like this is a neighborhood where I want to continue to live. I was almost hit by a car speeding while picking up litter. I am getting so over this. It could be so nice, but certain people keep messing it up for everyone else. What we need is some enforcement of the rules of the road over here, and a lot more drastic traffic "calming" measures. The new police chief needs to understand that traffic enforcement leads to other types of arrests (a good thing) and it also improves the quality of life of law-abiding citizens (a great thing.)

Unfortunately the "traffic calming" was watered down, and it continues to be watered down in other areas of the City (see the "Safe Routes to School" project on Grand Avenue in Fair Haven).

Unfortunately, this undermines citizens' faith in government. The City should have consulted experts to a larger extent, like the ones in Cambridge, MA, and used real traffic calming.

Police can not enforce all streets at all times, and NHPD seems to be able to give out only a nominal number of speeding tickets each year.

More on the Safe Routes to School Project:

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/islands_bump-outs_calm_traffic_on_grand/

"The grant for this project was submitted in 2009 and was the result of the efforts of many people, so a lot of folks have been waiting a long time for this to be built. It’s really exciting to see some action!
Since I haven’t seen it in person yet—are the islands really only a couple of inches from the road surface? What are the engineering specs on them? Are they built properly?
The islands are the centerpiece of this half million dollar federal project and should provide a safe refuge for the children at Fair Haven K-8. I’ve seen some scary driving on that “grand boulevard” in front of the school. The children deserve safe passage. When it comes to cars, we need commands not suggestions!
Even if the islands are not properly built, I will admit that it’s a nice change to hear comments about the adequacy of traffic calming efforts rather than complaints about their complete non-existence—which was where we were not so many years ago."

The arrow points to where the crosswalk used to be.

Crosswalk gone.

Crosswalk gone.