BY STEVE KELMAN
CORRESPONDENT
CRESSKILL, N.J.—New pedestrian crossing signs were recently installed at the intersection of Grant and Brookside avenues in Cresskill. Deputy Police Chief Jim Domville explained that four synchronized, solar powered, LED lights were put up at what he said was one of the most dangerous intersections in the borough.
In recent years a crossing guard and a pedestrian were killed at this intersection.
“The lights are going up just in time for the opening of school [Sept. 5],” Domville said.
At the Sept. 4 mayor and council meeting, Domville thanked Traffic Officer Seth Grubecki, “who spearheaded the research and implementation for acquiring these lights,” and DPW Supervisor Kevin Terhune for the work that his crew did installing them.
Domville said the sign’s lights will only activate when a button is pushed, but then, “all four of them will go off.”
The deputy chief said that officers on the force have been trained in using the lights and that the borough’s crossing guards will also be trained in the usage of these lights.
Domville said talks about the signs began last year and funding for them was put into the 2019 budget as a capital improvement project.
“The council asked us to look into safety measures [for that area] so we did our research and we think that this will be a viable solution to this safety issue,” he said.
Mayor Benedict Romeo praised the police for their efforts.
“Our traffic department did a great job putting this project together,” the mayor said. “The lights were needed because of past pedestrian accidents at this intersection.”
The mayor said a second location is in the process of being considered for a future installation of this signage/lighting. He said the intersection of Madison and Brookside avenues could be the next location.