BRATTLEBORO — The following was sent to the Brattleboro Town Manager, Police Chief and copied to all Selectboard members:
I am writing to voice my concern with the recent rash of jaywalking tickets being handed out by area law enforcement.
I understand the need for public safety, but I can certainly think of much better ways to utilize the scarce hours and personnel Brattleboro has at our disposal.
My primary modes of transportation are foot and bike. Brattleboro needs to address the pedestrian-unfriendly direction it has chosen.
In talking with numerous people about this recent flurry of citations, one thing is clear: it has created a definite anti-pedestrian sentiment in downtown Brattleboro. This is both compounded and, in my opinion, caused by the horrific traffic planning and implementation.
It may behoove the town to encourage the formation of a group (law enforcement, citizens, business owners, planners, etc.) to come up with downtown-centric and pro-pedestrian solutions to these woes. If such a group exists already, I would suggest some creative motivation.
Finally, after the abysmal year Brattleboro has had and is finally pulling itself out of, the choice to pursue jaywalking citations near the holidays is bizarre at best and, frankly, quite boneheaded.
Thank you for your time, and have a fine weekend.