Description

I am writing regarding an encampment located on the east side of Polar St. north of 28th St. This particular encampment is creating a pedestrian safety hazard. The only sidewalk on the street is located on the east side of Poplar and is completely blocked. The encampment is slowly creeping further and further into the roadway. On several occasions I have witnessed pedestrians walking around the encampment, in the street, and nearly get struck by a vehicle. From my past experience, I know that when the sidewalk is obstructed, a sidewalk diversion plan is required for the safety of pedestrians . The hazard is the same whether it is construction or someone's possessions. This location is a particular problem due to the adjacent road, Peralta St., which is a truck route. It is not uncommon to see trucks and vehicles cut over to Poplar, then back to Peralta in this area.
It is my hope that the Traffic Department is able to use their authority to help make this area safer. Either the sidewalk needs to be cleared or the encroachment into the road needs to be cleared.