ALBANY, N.Y. – Local police are
trying to figure out ways to keep the walking public safe after two separate
car-pedestrian accidents in Albany last week claimed one person's life and
injured another.
Mourners visiting this memorial at the intersection of Central and King
Avenues still can't believe their loved one Katherine
Parker was killed here. And with a
second pedestrian injured by a car the very next day, just a block away police
now trying to figure out how to keep the walking public safe.
Tameeka Cowley still can't believe
her best friend of 15 years is dead, "She was right here on this curb where
that stain is. I freaked out. I didn't know what to do."
Katherine Parker, 26, was struck by a car at
the intersection of King and Central Avenue Thursday.
"Although they took you from us I will never live a
day without your memory," says Cowley.
And just one day later, another pedestrian was killed
crossing Central just a block away.
Albany Police Chief Steve Krokoff says his concern is
two-fold-- how to educate the driving public and the walking public.
For drivers, Krokoff stresses the importance
of obeying traffic laws, and being mindful of the potential for "tunnel
vision." He says New York has no jaywalking laws, so pedestrians must be
vigilant when navigating the streets.
"We're going to look into bringing various
stakeholders from law enforcement different city agencies some community group's
private sector work to take a look at how we can really improve the safety,"
said Krokoff.
Chief Krokoff says the police
Traffic Engineering Department is now looking into high-tech safety solutions,
like pedestrian-activated street lighting and additional traffic cameras near
busier intersections.
Nicole Brown lives and works near the very spot
Parker lost her life. She says she's glad police are taking a closer look at
car-pedestrian accidents.
"I'm glad to see the cops are out here. Maybe you get
enough tickets you'll slow down or something or at least come to a stop," said
Brown.
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