| Author |
Message |
    
J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 363
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 11:34 am: | 
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OK, I know the school year is young, but I also understand students at Columbia were served notice at the start of classes that walking in groups up Academy will not be tolerated, and violators from now on will be issued jaywalking citations.
But the students are at it already, and there's no sign of police intervention.
I could barely get down the street on Friday afternoon, and I wasn't the only vehicle trying to dodge oncoming traffic while avoiding running over some smartass kid.
There were no cops handy that day, but I called and reported the situation since, as I understand it, that's the only way the police will know how often the problem emerges. Unfortunately, the SO police officer who answered my call seemed barely to register the complaint, so I'm not confident it will get "passed on," as he claimed.
Trustees and Police: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO PUT AN END TO THIS PROBLEM?
Note, too, that residents on Valley report kids getting beaten up on the street, every few days, for gang initiation. Those who report regularly to the police are becoming frightened of doing so, because they now fear their identities will be revealed and there will be retribution.
Trustees and Police: HOW IS THIS GOING TO BE STOPPED COLD?
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joso
Citizen
Username: Joso
Post Number: 100
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 11:59 am: |
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This type of behavior is frightening to the residents of this neighborhood , and gives our community a VERY bad name. I agree that the police should make this a priority. It should not be too hard to stop cold as it happens at the same time, same place every day.
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doublea
Citizen
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 277
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 12:34 pm: |
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I am not sure whether the Village President reads this board, but other officials do and hopefully the word will be passed on to him. He should sit down with the Director and institute a zero tolerance policy. The activity described is both potentially dangerous physically as well as damaging to the reputation of the Village. I feel for those who are concerned their identiies will be revealed and fear retribution - this is a very real fear. Incidentally, many times when you call the police, you get a dispatcher, who is not a police officer. If you want urgent action, ask for the watch commander. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 594
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 12:52 pm: |
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I have read and have passed it on. I will make sure the Police Director is made aware (although I am sure he is already) and let's curb this problem which occurs every spring and fall.
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J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 366
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 3:08 pm: |
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Thank you, Mark.
I will, of course, publicize here the success or failure of any police intervention as I and my neighbors experience it. |
J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 367
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 3:10 pm: |
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"Incidentally, many times when you call the police, you get a dispatcher, who is not a police officer. If you want urgent action, ask for the watch commander."
Thanks, AA. I did get a dispatcher. In future I'll ask for the watch commander. |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 679
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 3:31 pm: |
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Shouldn't this be both police departments since the school sits right on the line between Maplewood and South Orange? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 595
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 3:34 pm: |
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The police departments do talk to each other.
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Allan J Rosen
Citizen
Username: Allanrosen
Post Number: 8
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 4:44 pm: |
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Both Police Depts have been aware of the problems since last spring. There was a meeting on point attended by the current Police Director, Village Administrator, and school administration officials. The South Orange Community Relations Committee (CRC) has been working on special programs involving both students and neighbors to help eliminate and/or diffuse the problems. The CRC has a meeting in Village Hall Sept 18 at 8 PM which will include continuing discussion of this problem. The item is also scheduled for discussion at the Public Safety Committee meeting at Village Hall sept 15 at 6:30 PM. South Orange can be proactive too. |
Jason & John
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 70
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 5:12 pm: |
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THe problem is just as severe on Parker Ave. There has to be police presence around Columbia HS when school lets out. |
newtoallthis
Citizen
Username: Newtoallthis
Post Number: 52
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 5:49 pm: |
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Sounds like we made the wrong decision moving out to NJ from NYC so our child could eventually attend a public high school... |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5107
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 6:08 pm: |
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Put some NY taxis on our roads and it will stop. |
Nohero
Citizen
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 2067
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 7:54 pm: |
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Newtoallthis: Your comment inspires me to repeat the familiar (to long-time readers) Response-to-the-perennial-"Kids-in-the-street"-threads:
Yes, some of the students act up after school, and walking in the street and similar behavior is their method of choice for this purpose. I prefer to look at what goes on inside the building, which has continued to provide my children with an excellent education. There are a lot of great kids at Columbia, so don't let the few obscure the accomplishments of the many.
Okay, I'm done. Carry on. |
Popo
Citizen
Username: Popo
Post Number: 17
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 9:50 pm: |
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Nohero, you obviously don't live on Academy Street. |
Nohero
Citizen
Username: Nohero
Post Number: 2068
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 10:10 pm: |
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Two responses:
1. I don't think my post, about what goes on inside the school, belittled anyone's concern about the behavior of some students on Academy Street after school.
2. I may live closer to Columbia than you think I do. |
Scott
Citizen
Username: Selnychef
Post Number: 23
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 10:43 pm: |
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J Crohn, thanks for calling attention to the problem's associated with the end of the school day. Friday while driving toward SO on Academy (which I live on) I couldn't help but notice one student riding his bike about five feet away from the curb while talking to fifteen friends. Cars had to veer out of his way. It would be nice to see SOPD out at 3pm. |
OK, it's Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 487
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 3:07 pm: |
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Riding a bike in the street is legal. When approaching a slowly moving vehicle from behind, do the same thing, whether it's a bicycle or tractor. (OK, not many tractors in SO/M.) Slow down and pass when it's safe.
All this is not intended to belittle the problem people here are describing. But cycling in the street is legal and preferable to riding on a sidewalk.
Tom Reingold
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Southorangemom
Citizen
Username: Southorangemom
Post Number: 40
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 11:09 pm: |
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As residents who live near Columbia HS, are you aware that there is a new dismissal policy instituted by Mrs. Pollak? Only juniors and seniors are allowed to exit on Parker Avenue.
Freshmen and sophomores must use all the other exits.
Supposedly, this was done to alleviate some of the traffic in the front of the building.
Is it working? |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 78
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2003 - 9:30 am: |
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Maybe the school could give a class on how to walk to and from itself.
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J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 397
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2003 - 5:48 pm: |
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"Is it working?"
SOMom, it seems to be working AMAZINGLY well, at least on Academy.
Or something is certainly working. For the last two or three days, it's been as if dismissal is staggered or something. Not only are there no mobs of kids on the street, there are no mobs of kids on the sidewalk--just a few kids here and there, walking, enjoying the weather, a couple kissing, nobody doing anything remotely obnoxious or intimidating. I've had no trouble getting down Parker in the afternoons, either. It's as if the CHS population has decreased 100 fold, overnight.
If this sticks, it will have to be chalked up as a major accomplishment! |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 3396
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 2:58 pm: |
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Was the riot act read to the student body at the beginning of this year? |
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