Maplewood recognized for pedestrian safety efforts

Photo Courtesy of NJTPA From left are Essex County principal planner David Antonio, Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino, NJTPA Executive Director Mary K. Murphy, Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca and Essex County engineer Sanjeev Varghese.
Photo Courtesy of NJTPA
From left are Essex County principal planner David Antonio, Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino, NJTPA Executive Director Mary K. Murphy, Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca and Essex County engineer Sanjeev Varghese.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority recognized the township of Maplewood for its “vital contribution to making pedestrian safety a priority in the community.” The township received the award for “implementing the Street Smart NJ Pedestrian Safety Education campaign, and in doing so contributing to the goal of making New Jersey safer for pedestrians.” Maplewood is one of 40 municipalities in the state to launch the campaign.

“We are grateful for the recognition for our efforts so far and know that our work to advance pedestrian safety is not over. We intend to do more over the next year,” Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca said in a press release.

“The Maplewood Police Department is happy to participate in the Street Smart NJ Pedestrian Safety Education campaign and thanks the NJTPA for its assistance and support for our traffic safety programs. The police department will continue working to make our community safer for pedestrians,” Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino said in the release.

On Oct. 24, more than 80 residents attended a Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Summit to discuss ways to slow traffic and increase the safety of pedestrians. The three-tiered approach the township is taking includes education, enforcement, and engineering and design. The police, engineering and public works departments are moving forward on a number of pedestrian safety initiatives.