Pedestrian safety is at the forefront of discussions in Watertown after two pedestrians were hit and killed on Main Street.
The Board of Police Commissioners will be gathering public comment on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Hemingway Municipal Center on Echo Lake Road.
The first pedestrian killed, a woman, died in September 2016 while crossing the street. On Feb. 23, 2018, Miratrip Ajro, known as Mike, was hit while getting into his car.
Following the woman’s death, police met with officials from the Department of Transportation to discuss what could be done to improve pedestrian safety.
Main Street (Route 63) is a state road, according to Deputy Police Chief Robert Desena. The DOT recommended adding crosswalk signs and restricting parking near crosswalks. Desena said police have also stepped up patrols in the area, paying close attention to speeding drivers or those parked too close to crosswalks.
Lauren Dassatti, owner of Sweet Pea’s Florist, said she thought it was a smart idea to gather more input from the public.
“We’ve been on Main Street for three years now and it’s crazy just trying to cross the street on a normal regular day, forget at nighttime when people are out drinking and things like that,” Dassatti said.
Local
Dassatti said she hopes improvements are made sooner rather than later to protect pedestrians and shoppers along Main Street.
“I’m hoping that Mike’s passing does not go in vain. He was a wonderful man, very nice family, and I hope something will change because of that,” said Dassatti.
