METUCHEN — Police are looking into residents’ concerns of traffic and speeding in and around the area of Newman Street, and will take whatever action is necessary, according to Police Chief David Irizarry.
Neighbors Sheera Stern and Michelle Hornby attended the Borough Council meeting on Oct. 1 and shared their concerns before Mayor Jonathan Busch and the council.
“Twenty odd years ago when my daughter was 9/10, she could go with her friends to the pool, she could go to the [YMCA], she could walk over to the Edgar School, it wasn’t a problem,” Stern said. “I know the county has grown. It seems to have grown disproportionately in our neighborhood. … What we have are people who see an open street and floor it.”
Stern said there is constant fear of getting hit crossing Lake Avenue and High Street and some of her neighbors have been sideswiped.
“It’s so dangerous,” she said.
Stern said she and her neighbors have previously asked for passive speed controls, which have included speed bumps.
“We keep being told you don’t need them or you can’t have them,” she said.
Stern added motorists do not abide by the stop signs in the area.
“We need a comprehensive plan to deal with traffic in our town,” she said, noting she signed a petition 18 years ago to take action on concerns about traffic.
Hornby said the speed on Newman Street is “unbelievable” and the street has potholes and deep crevices causing motorists to weave up and down the street.
“I can’t let my two grandchildren cross the street without someone being with them,” she said.
Busch said he and the council hear the concerns of the residents. He said Borough Administrator Jay Muldoon will discuss the concerns with Irizarry.
Councilwoman Allison Inserro inquired about Waze, a navigation software, which may be sending motorists a different way due to accidents and road conditions, including onto Newman Street.
“It may be part of the problem,” she said.
Busch said some communities work with Waze and it may be a possibility to establish a relationship with Waze.