Crime & Safety

BC, Newton Police Crack Down on Crosswalks

The two police departments will be doing an "intensive safety campaign" for crosswalks the week of September 12-16.

The following is a press release issued by :

Officers from the Boston College Police Department will team up with traffic officers from the Newton Police Department as part of an intensive crosswalk safety campaign during the week of September 12-16 aimed at enforcing pedestrian safety at crossings on Beacon Street near the University’s main campus.

“People tend to come down the Beacon Street straightaway in excess of the speed limits,” says BCPD Lt. Fred Winslow. “Our students are trying to get from the academic buildings to the buildings along Hammond Street or to the Chestnut Hill T stop. Sometimes they don’t get seen until they are four or five feet into the crosswalk. We have had several students hit by vehicles and a lot of close calls.”

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There are three marked crosswalks and pedestrian alert signs along the Beacon Street side of campus: at Merkert Chemistry Center and Campion Hall; at Lawrence Avenue; and at the St. Jude Gate between Carney Hall and McElroy Commons.

“We have reached out to the Newton Police Department,” Winslow says, “and they are going to put up some flashing signboards reminding operators that they have to stop when there are people in a crosswalk.” Winslow warns that a special police enforcement team will be handing out citations to drivers who fail to obey the crosswalk law.

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Winslow says that BC officers will also assist their Newton counterparts in conducting crosswalk safety campaigns at other potentially hazardous crossings in the city.

University and city officials are also looking into the possibility of installing flashing yellow lights at the busiest Beacon Street crosswalks in an effort to improve pedestrian safety.

“We just want people to slow down, pay attention and make sure that our students and others are safe when they cross the street,” Winslow says.


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