Dane Street, Somerville, MA Pedestrian Hazards

The following images were captured along Dane Street in Somerville, MA on Friday June 17, 2016 at about 7:15 PM. The sidewalk hazards are on both sides of the street between Washington Street and Somerville Avenue. These hazards were reported to the Somerville Aldermen in 2014, and to the Somerville Commission on Persons With Disabilities in March 2016.  Some of the sidewalk is under MBTA jurisdiction. They made some asphalt fixes but only for part of the broken sidewalks. 


This image of a hazard is on the west side of Dane Street on the side of The Training Room, an exercise and fitness club, near Washington Street.  


Close-up of the hazard on the west side of Dane Street on the side of The Training Room, an exercise and fitness club, near Washington Street. 


Broken sidewalk at 67 Dane Street. 


Broken raised sidewalk at 64 Dane Street.


Broken raised sidewalk at 38 Dane Street.


Beginning of overpass of MBTA commuter rail tracks, east side of Dane street looking toward Somerville Avenue.


Middle of overpass of MBTA commuter rail tracks, east side of Dane Street looking toward Somerville Avenue.


Beginning of overpass of MBTA commuter rail tracks, west side of Dane street looking toward Somerville Avenue.


Middle of overpass of MBTA commuter rail tracks, west side of Dane Street looking toward Somerville Avenue.


Beginning of overpass of MBTA commuter rail tracks, west side of Dane street looking toward Washington Street. Asphalt fix can be seen in this image.


Dane Street sidewalk east side looking toward Somerville Avenue. You can see a large gap between parts of the sidewalk. This crevice continues for about 25 feet. 


Dane Street sidewalk east side looking toward Somerville Avenue. You can see a large gap between parts of the sidewalk. There is another gap horizontal in this image. The vertical crevice continues for about 25 feet. 


This portion of the Dane Street sidewalk was recently repaired by the Somerville Public Works Department. They did an excellent job making a smooth sidewalk. But the slope is very dangerous in winter when there is snow or ice covering the sidewalk. That section just north of 24 Dane Street needs less of a slope, where it meets the driveway going toward The Market Basket grocery.  


This broken sidewalk hazard is on the west side of Dane Street, just south of Tyler Street. 


This sidewalk hazard is on the west side of Dane Street just north of Village Street.

Woman Bartender Arrested For DUI After Killing 70-year-old Pedestrian in Worcester, MA

Suspect Rebecca Brooks, 37

[From article]
A 70-year-old man was struck by a sport utility vehicle and killed Wednesday night as he tried to walk across Shrewsbury Street, police said, and the driver, a Whitinsville woman, was charged with drunken driving and motor vehicle homicide.
A witness who said he was a passenger in a black Jeep that stopped just down from Seward and Shrewsbury streets said he ran to the victim and checked for a pulse. Initially he found one, but then it faded, he said.
Police said the pedestrian, age 70, was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Police were withholding his name until family could be properly notified.
Police identified the driver as Rebecca Brooks, 37, of 24 Laura Lane, Whitinsville. She was arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent driving.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20160323/NEWS/160329614

70-year-old pedestrian struck, killed by alleged drunk driver in Worcester
By Steven H. Foskett Jr.
Telegram & Gazette Staff
Posted Mar. 23, 2016 at 10:38 PM
Updated at 6:12 AM

"Medical" Marijuana Store Needed In Harvard Square

“Unless you have a valid DPH-issued ID card in your possession at the time you visit our facility, you can’t get in,” "Really?" said ex-student who wishes to remain anonymous. "How much will that dude who sells fake driver's licenses charge for fake DPH cards?" And why not use the Out Of town News kiosk, for the ten to fifteen million who pass by that space, for the new medical weed palace? City Council is deliberating what to do with that. Much more convenient.

[From article]
“Unless you have a valid DPH-issued ID card in your possession at the time you visit our facility, you can’t get in,” Dundas said.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/3/4/medical-marijuana-dispensary-eyes-location/

Marijuana Company Eyes Joint Near the Square
By JOSHUA J. FLORENCE and SAMUEL VASQUEZ

Harvard CRIMSON STAFF WRITERS
March 4, 2016

Cambridge, MA Promotes Bike Paths, Pedestrian Use of Sidewalks and Roads

An idea seldom mentioned by anyone other that yours truly, is to ban pedestrians in the city. A simple ordinance requiring pedestrians to enter a vehicle when they are not in a building would provide lots of room for more bike lanes. Councilor Kelley is correct that drivers do not look for bicycles or pedestrians when turning. A thoughtful HUPD campus officer almost hit me when I was in a crosswalk. More evidence of negligent training for that group of "safety" officers. Also unmentioned are the coming-to-your-town-soon, driverless vehicles. The MBTA tried out driverless trains earlier this month. It worked well with no injuries, but the innovative driver was fired for taking his initiative. Also unmentioned is the growing use of drones by civilians and officials alike. Then there is the growing use of robots who reportedly will replace humans. Are you ready for the future?

http://cambridge.wickedlocal.com/article/20151217/NEWS/151216419/?Start=1

Bike lanes, 'smart' parking meters discussed at Cambridge transportation roundtable
By Natalie Handy
nhandy (at) wickedlocal.com
Posted Dec. 17, 2015 at 3:04 PM
CAMBRIDGE Chronicle

Support For Cambridge, MA Street and Roadway Redesign

Western Avenue, Cambridge, MA during construction

Priorities should be determined by usage. In some areas sidewalks are seldom used. They should be removed to make room for more cars to go faster. No sidewalks would eliminate car-pedestrian accidents and injuries too. City ordinance can ban pedestrians, and require immediate entry to a vehicle when leaving a building. In winter no sidewalks requires no snow removal. Heavy car usage of streets must get priority over light usage by bicyclists. Car owners pay more taxes and should get proper value for their taxes.

http://cambridge.wickedlocal.com/article/20150709/NEWS/150706812

LETTER: Cambridge's leaders should celebrate new Western Avenue
Mariko Davidson, candidate for Cambridge City Council; Jan Devereux, candidate for City Council; Nadeem Mazen, City Councilor; John Sanzone, candidate for City Council
Posted Jul. 9, 2015 at 3:49 PM
CAMBRIDGE Chronicle
Letter To the editor:

Third Intentional Car Crash In France Directed At Pedestrians

A French police investigator walks near a van which was driven into a crowd, injuring ten people, including five seriously wounded, according to French media, in Nantes December 22, 2014.
Photo: REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

[From article]
A man ploughed a van into a crowded Christmas market in Nantes in western France on Monday, injuring at least 10 people in the country's third violent attack in as many days.
The driver, who authorities said stabbed himself after the crash, and four people were badly injured, with one of the victims in critical condition, local officials said.
[. . .]
The incident occurred a day after a man rammed his car into crowds in the eastern city of Dijon, shouting "Allahu Akbar". Thirteen people were injured. On Saturday, a man was shot after he stabbed and wounded three police officers in central France while yelling "Allahu Akbar".

http://news.yahoo.com/man-rams-van-christmas-market-western-france-injures-192729451.html

Man rams van into Christmas market in France
By Guillaume Frouin
December 22, 2014

City Manager Makes Police Policy


It is unfair to say that Cambridge police 'don't enforce ANYTHING.' Police do what they are told to do. The City Manager sets police policy. What is enforced is criticism of Cambridge officials. Anyone who dares to criticize the fragile officials, is harassed, arrested and slandered. That is one of several things for which the City Manager's policy demands enforcement. As a CCTV producer told me, 'There is no such thing as free speech.' That is not an issue for members of the Conformist Party who see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil in the city. As for crosswalks, if pedestrians were banned there would be no need for crosswalks. All transportation would be by vehicle.


http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/x1056821085/Letter-Cops-need-to-enforce-pedestrian-crosswalks-more

Letter: Cops need to enforce pedestrian crosswalks more
Cambridge Chronicle
Tue Feb 24, 2009, 09:05 AM EST
DIANNE WEINLES
Cambridge Street

No New Taxes!

No New Taxes!

[This letter was published in the online edition of the Cambridge Chronicle on Tuesday July 29, 2008.]

Mr. Miller does not see traffic calming as an improvement. (Larry
Miller, "'Beautification' project is a nightmare," Cambridge
Chronicle, Jul 24, 2008) If the city prohibited pedestrians and
eliminated sidewalks, it would improve the flow of traffic and allow
more parking spaces. People should be banned from the city unless they
are in a vehicle. That is what cities are for -- cars and drivers.
Let's keep the traffic moving -- stop blocking traffic will you? And
another thing, who needs traffic signals? That only inhibits the flow
of traffic as well. Then perhaps with no need to keep the lights
working the state can really wither away. No new taxes. Read my
lips!!!

Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM

Letter: 'Beautification' project is a nightmare
Thu Jul 24, 2008, 08:02 AM EDT
Cambridge Chronicle
LARRY MILLER
Cambridge, MA