Brooklyn, NY – Manhattan Beach’s Jewish residents claim a flashing yellow traffic light at the intersection of Oriental Boulevard and Ocean Avenue prevents them from safely crossing the street on the Sabbath.
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Department of Transportation (DOT) records indicate the light was installed in 2005.
The Brooklyn Daily (http://bit.ly/NAfMJh) reports that the light is “pedestrian-activated” and designed to turn the flashing yellow stoplight to red when the button is pressed, thereby enabling safe passage for the pedestrian. But religious Jews argue that pressing the button is not feasible on the Sabbath, leaving them with the option to either cross against the light or walk an additional four blocks to cross at an intersection with a steady signal.
Asked whether it takes religious laws into consideration before installing new traffic signals, the DOT said it “is currently re-evaluating this intersection to see if it meets the criteria for a traffic signal. That study is expected to be completed next month.” DOT added it has not received any complaints about the light since it was installed, and that it reviewed the button-activation feature of the signal with community residents before the installation, but there were no concerns.
Community Board 15 Chairwoman Teresa Scavo denies DOT’s assertion and said the community board has repeatedly requested a traffic study at the intersection to determine if a traditional signal can be installed instead. Scavo says the board was told the flashing light would be removed if residents complained.
“Saying that this problem has been never discussed is not true,” Scavo said. “We were in the commissioner’s office several months ago and it was discussed again. It was supposed to be a test, and if the community didn’t think it was good, we were under the impression that it would be turned into a traditional traffic light, but that never happened.”
“Manhattan Beach’s Jewish residents claim a flashing yellow traffic light at the intersection of Oriental Boulevard and Ocean Avenue prevents them from safely crossing the street on the Sabbath. Department of Transportation (DOT) records indicate the light was installed in 2005.”
It’s now three quarters of the way through 2012, and these ehrliche yidden have just woken up to something that has been there for at least six whole years?
There’s a new Bais Medresh in Manhattan Beach for Elul Zman.
We fought for a light on our corner for nearly 2 years. Letters petitions etc. Nothing worked. Then somebody was killed! We got our light!! DOT does not give anything until somebody is killed or hit by a car. The same thing happed a block away and they got a light!! Need I say more!!
To all dear readers: The Manhattan Beach neighborhood is a multi-faceted community.
There are 4 Frum Shuls!
Sefardic Shul: Ohel David and Shlomo.
Ashkenaz: Manhattan Beach Jewish Center
Yeshivash: The Shteeble
And Chabad of Manhattan Beach catering to the Russian Jews.
In fact The Chabad Rabbi, Avrohom Winner was quoted in the original article on the brooklyndaily:
http://www.brooklyndaily.com/stories/2012/35/bn_sabbathstoplight_2012_08_24_bk.html
Which im surprised vos iz naies felt they should have removed. It would have saved lots of the previous comments of where was the frum community till now.
there is a VERY mehudar eiruv in the area which is accepted by all!
As “butterfly” mentioned: “We fought for a light on our corner for nearly 2 years. Letters petitions etc. Nothing worked. Then somebody was killed! We got our light!! DOT does not give anything until somebody is killed or hit by a car. The same thing happed a block away and they got a light!! Need I say more!!”
It was only until recently that the blinking traffic light due to driver not knowing the exact meaning of this light causes more confusion and lack of safety. Shabbos when parents walk their little children by hand or in carriages (which bec as mentioned above there is a eiruv) to the park there is a fear of danger especially that oriental blvd is a bus route.
So in summery, bec of the yellow light there is more fear of danger. By installing a regular light that changes automatically there wont be an issue of chillul Shabbos!!!
has had a frum community for many years now.