By Edward Dadakis
Yikes, they’ve defunded the police on Greenwich Avenue! That’s what I thought one Saturday late last summer as I drove around Greenwich Avenue and the police were still not directing traffic. In fact, I didn’t see a policeman anywhere on Greenwich Avenue that day.
I wondered how this could be. After all the police presence on The Avenue is an iconic symbol of our town and shows we value protecting Greenwich residents, visitors and property.
Everyone knows Greenwich Avenue can be chaotic. Some drivers will stop completely in the roadway just waiting for a parking space or to run into a store for that one quick item. Others will drive down the middle of the road at 2 mph. There are pedestrians crossing wherever they want, often oblivious to their surroundings. At crosswalks there can be mayhem with pedestrians and drivers coming together trying to figure out who goes next. In other words, Greenwich Avenue can be dangerous.
Chaos and danger is reduced and managed with the police directing traffic at the intersections. That reliable presence of a police officer keeps order in an obvious and visible fashion. These officers keep pedestrians safe—from toddlers to the elderly to the handicapped. They also discourage store thefts and robbery of shoppers while aiding motorists crossing a busy avenue often flooded with pedestrians.
Most understand removing the police from directing traffic at the height of the pandemic but now its apparent that this is a permanent change to a century old tradition. As such Representative Town Meeting members from District One, who represent downtown Greenwich, encouraged getting a resolution on the RTM agenda calling for the officers to be returned. The main goal of the resolution is to foster community discussion on this important issue and let the people’s representatives weigh in. As that discussion has proceeded the passion of those wanting to retain the police has become evident.
Readers should know that this decision did not emanate within the police department. Rather it was implemented by our elected politicians as part of a reimagined vision for downtown Greenwich which includes easy access to the waterfront, outside dining and happy people riding around in trolleys. That vision can still proceed with police directing Greenwich Avenue traffic.
Our highly regarded police chief, Jim Heavey, is doing an outstanding job defending the decision of our elected politicians by arguing a better deployment is police riding bikes around downtown. While that might be nice, the plan leaves drivers and, more importantly, pedestrians to fend for themselves. Mr. Heavey is out in front on this matter but the fact remains, if our politicians had not made that choice we would not be having this discussion.
Our elderly traverse Greenwich Ave extensively. The Mews senior living facility is a block from the Senior Center and Agnes Morley Heights is 3 blocks away. Many of those residents cross Greenwich Avenue when they walk to the senior center—often daily. According to an RTM member who frequents the senior center, their members are strongly in favor of retaining the police.
I thought the chairman of the First Selectman’s Advisory Committee with Disabilities, said it best when he wrote: “Crossing Greenwich Avenue as a person with disabilities is very difficult. Thanks to the Officers my guide dog and I feel safe to cross.”
Those words were especially poignant to me. It makes so much sense. A visibly impaired person can’t cross the street safely unless they know traffic is stopped.
I’m seeing and hearing widespread support to keep the police on The Avenue. A petition circulating on line has more than 1,200 signers. Those voices need to be heard by RTM members.
The RTM will hear from residents on this matter and then vote at their March 8th meeting. Additionally, each district will convene either March 3rd or 4th just to hear from their neighborhood residents. Make your voice heard!
These are all zoom meetings so you don’t need to even leave your living room to have your voice heard. Go to https://www.greenwichct.gov/721/Representative-Town-Meeting-RTM to get a list of your RTM members, instructions on how to enter the zoom meetings and sign up to speak. Alternatively, telephone one of our selectmen—Fred Camillo, Lauren Rabin or Jill Oberlander—at 203-622-7710.
If the police are not returned to the Avenue soon, I fear they never will be. I believe we are then likely to see traffic lights before too long.
Now is the time to add your voice to those of thousands of other Greenwich residents who support bringing the police back.
Edward Dadakis has served in Greenwich town government for more than 40 years. You can reach him at edadakis@gmail.com Follow him on Twitter at Eddie on Watch
