Pedestrian safety is not a partisan issue

I have been advocating for pedestrian safety in our neighborhood of Olde Severna Park for the past three years. The crosswalks at Brandywine and Cypress Creek, which cross Route 648, or Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard, are used by the community to access local schools, recreational areas, and local businesses.

Driver speed and poor visibility have been identified as major problems, and as a result, there have been car accidents and incidents where neighbors have been hit at the crosswalks. My own 12-year-old son does not feel safe crossing the crosswalks alone.

To that end, I have been working with Sen. Edward Reilly’s office to come up with solutions for the safety of our community.

Reilly agreed to sponsor a bill (Senate Bill 43) this session that would allow the installation of speed cameras on the halfmile stretch of road where the crosswalks are located. Income generated from the speed cameras would be earmarked to improve pedestrian safety in the community.

We believed this would go a long way toward improving safety at the crosswalks. On Jan. 18, two of my neighbors and I were invited to provide witness testimony to the Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing in support of S.B. 43.

On Jan. 21, Reilly called me to let me know that he decided to pull the bill because “after looking at his campaign records, he saw that I was supporting his opponent.” Then, Reilly hung up on me.

The issue of pedestrian safety is not a partisan issue. By pulling the bill, Reilly chose to put his political ambitions above the safety of his constituents, who are not required to donate to his campaign in order to receive public services. In my opinion, this is an egregious abuse of power unbecoming a Maryland state senator.

— Pam Jeter, Severna Park