[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6575596,"mediaKeyId","3086619-55d89ac512750c86e5127b9b4bcf669c","parentId",3086619,"title","Residents and council press for Division Street safety fixes; parks upgrades to move forward in coming months","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",972000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086619-55d89ac512750c86e5127b9b4bcf669c&start=972&end=972","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086619-55d89ac512750c86e5127b9b4bcf669c/thumbnail_972000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6575596/Harrisburg/Dauphin/Pennsylvania/Residents-and-council-press-for-Division-Street-safety-fixes-parks-upgrades-to-move-forward-in-coming-months","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575596-98403cb94e0f7096fc1610e0211ee706/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203031&Signature=nusduvPGEpzGxt~XdCY0Uyd2Kmuse8pZYKj4aA1gy7sAm~wr-gXTRAw94n7xrH8-4bodavmbmW9smeywY9540jOcl~fspCc4vMJbobolzVk12xFWj~1MrGUSzyzFNadL9mMEl~9c-dWGxm0ce1eoyOa4nWt1whPwk2PpTNVzliR0uznOwrMjimcQBt9PmJqs0jgN-X6d7e4-eFg2GJlsxR4MVstIa9b7khD7sJMRrX-2xfwtmkm2u1qdApdZ~cXip8bZ2BY3xpqZjSbfGbECHP69D5rnGl21KjkVNN~5fRjPssAqvMx5OTCLlPTFejC2ojZr1UYmWnypyaoehPuUvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harrisburg City, PA","date","2025-04-22T23:05:15.597Z","article","Local residents told Harrisburg City Council on April 22 that Division Street has become a “racetrack” for drivers since recent roundabout and street changes, and they asked elected officials to pursue crosswalks, lighting or other traffic-calming measures.

Attorney Corky Goldstein, who said he was born and lives near Italian Lake, told council that traffic diverted from Second Street has increased speeds on Sixth, Seventh and Division streets, making it difficult for children and residents — including students at Cam Curtin Academy and occupants of Green Street Apartments — to cross safely. Goldstein and other speakers asked the council and administration to study crossing improvements, lighting and speed enforcement.

Melanie Cook and other residents described frequent high-speed traffic along Third, Graham and Division streets and said drivers often fail to stop at posted signs. Councilmembers acknowledged the complaints and said staff should investigate potential engineering or enforcement remedies.

Councilwoman Rawls provided an update on several parks and playground projects frequently raised by residents. She said that concepts for upgrades to Seventh and Radnor Field, Gorgas Playground and Wilson Park will be posted to the city website in coming weeks and that construction is scheduled to begin in May following earlier delays; she also said that Reservoir Park had earlier been scheduled for work to conclude in February 2025 but that schedule slipped. Rawls told residents that the executive branch oversees implementation of construction and that residents should contact the mayor’s administration for more detailed updates; she also said council members continue to request administration briefings to provide residents with direct information.

Councilmembers at the meeting noted the horticultural and recreation value of the parks and said coordinating planning and security with nearby businesses and homeowners would be important as renovation work proceeds. Separately, council discussed a lot-consolidation resolution related to a new parks maintenance facility tied to SRTA redevelopment that the council approved unanimously during the same session; councilmembers said outstanding questions about indemnity and formal agreements remain before construction begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harrisburg City Council Legislative Session 4-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","Residents urged action on speeding and pedestrian safety on Division Street following traffic pattern changes; council members and staff also provided updates on delayed park-playground upgrades and a planned parks maintenance facility.","taxTitle","Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania","taxId",4675,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6575600,"Residents press council on policing, alleged officer misconduct and camera use",1084,716000,1800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086619-55d89ac512750c86e5127b9b4bcf669c&start=716&end=1800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086619-55d89ac512750c86e5127b9b4bcf669c/thumbnail_716000.jpg","/articles/6575600/Harrisburg/Dauphin/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-council-on-policing-alleged-officer-misconduct-and-camera-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575600-b588eaa2c1f217e07247f373d734da06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203031&Signature=UAsSb5EdJ4o9B4AKn7s9jPnripaxndsq1~tbstbdmrzaStzFLRMbDBhG7h9zXv49MpV5P0SoLWebpk2sJdvE8rQxNI~T-fEb63FYm52MKArLiE9cDN70F8O26X8mthIReNFG18~qoGQjFbYYwyDsL8H-jGwk7pIE1IUBxfSJhDr5oCaBBsmgOM3bWJyRk6Ftj6imqGDjDlzDowaOBP6EoAbIONjZSbABS6ciFEPiq8Lw~O8Fyt6yQ4z6PJaBwTOpYz-TQCBX6KQr4czlOO~InjueMN6JDZWWwJPZpG07nG~pA9IYUtS91XpK8cIZcMNZyHK6c6Vl0ff91KE~effGgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Harrisburg residents used the public-comment portion of the April 22 City Council meeting to press elected officials on policing, police-community relations, and city surveillance systems.

Brandon Basem said city officers removed his vehicle license plate after a recent traffic stop and urged the council to review whether citations should be dismissed where residents were left without plates; he said he had privilege to address the matter but worried less-resourced residents could be harmed by similar enforcement. Toby Soha, who identified himself as living at a homeless encampment near PennDOT, said a friend’s $2,000 e-bike had been stolen in front of the downtown courthouse and that police had not taken effective follow-up; Soha questioned whether the city should invest in additional cameras if existing cameras are not being reviewed by police.

Several speakers raised broader concerns about public safety and policing. Resident Lisa Harden said she was fearful for her life and that repeated gunplay among youths made her unsafe at home. Melanie Cook described a 2½-hour delay on the non-emergency line during a loose-dog incident and said slow responses to ‘‘everyday’’ calls undermined trust. Robert Williams, speaking on behalf of Capital Heights residents, cited demographic and disciplinary concerns: he said black residents make up 47% of the city’s population while black officers constitute 11% of the force, and he named two officers — Officer Mark Howe II and Corporal Esteban Restrepo — as defendants in federal civil lawsuits alleging excessive force, including a 2023 incident now litigated in Watkins v. Howe. Williams called on council to demand transparency on complaints and disciplinary outcomes.

Council President Bowers and staff acknowledged the public comments and pointed speakers to administrative contacts; no formal disciplinary actions or investigations were announced during the meeting. Several councilmembers urged follow-up with the administration and said appropriate data and responses could be provided through the mayor’s office or public-safety staff.

Speakers proposed a range of next steps, including clearer public reporting on officer complaints and outcomes, faster non-emergency response, and better coordination about camera use and evidence review. Residents were encouraged to contact Public Safety staff (Dwayne Bender was named as the courthouse surveillance contact) and to pursue formal complaints where appropriate.","During public comment, multiple residents described delayed non-emergency police response, concerns about gun violence and officer misconduct, and skepticism about planned downtown camera investments.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6575605,"Harrisburg council approves appointments, engineering contract and restores downtown noise-exempt map",1505,2363000,3868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086619-55d89ac512750c86e5127b9b4bcf669c&start=2363&end=3868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086619-55d89ac512750c86e5127b9b4bcf669c/thumbnail_2363000.jpg","/articles/6575605/Harrisburg/Dauphin/Pennsylvania/Harrisburg-council-approves-appointments-engineering-contract-and-restores-downtown-noise-exempt-map","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6575605-1fb6060d6709586b65e57acd4fc37372/orig.mp4?Expires=1771203031&Signature=KHdqS26TokK5LFro2iFcrk2DTxt3JK9F6mc5xbBics7wNtylOlN0O0k6dXPE28Yqz2RlqD-CVFRI-gBDPraHcYezacDr5w2nNka5HiQRzeVDRRLcG7awDIWRiLNYumVvc8MKCc5yshMR3t9v5d-m075g-rkVLiUjn1tUJDQ~az0y489Zt3ghpDN-S0MSYyqcoll48x6uGu40yK3pqw4CAUl7wRGyEwpCG4qz-52a2qOjVo~bL~BE~bL7haB5PS3GvL4IcWp-9X-ELpEedPmJON1RdXDVS8ToY6g9QvKtUyQcysX2nxjFAhnShitE1mZEq3aAvPxAsHxLGO-7tDek0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harrisburg City Council on April 22 approved several resolutions, including the appointment of Cheyenne Johnson to the Environmental Advisory Council, authorization to negotiate a professional services agreement with Urban Engineers Inc., and an amended petition to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board restoring a 2017 downtown noise-exempt map.

The set of votes was taken during the legislative session after committee reports. Council President Bowers presided and City Clerk Truesdale read each resolution into the record. Each of the four resolutions that were put to a roll-call vote passed 6-0; Councilman Jones was recorded as excused.

Council members said the actions support immediate administrative needs and ongoing downtown recovery. Resolution 20 of 2025 was considered with an amendment that reverts the downtown boundary map to the footprint used in 2017 (the amendment was described as replacing the more-limited 2019 footprint). Council suspended the rules to discuss and amend the resolution and then voted on the amended version.

Resolution 18 of 2025 appoints Cheyenne Johnson to the Environmental Advisory Council; council confirmed receipt of Johnson’s statement of financial interest and noted that council appointments now constitute a quorum enabling the advisory body to resume meeting. Resolution 21 of 2025 approves a preliminary/final lot consolidation and land development plan to construct a new City of Harrisburg parks maintenance facility on property tied to a larger redevelopment of SRTA’s operations and maintenance facility at 901 North Cameron Street; councilmembers expressed general support while noting outstanding questions about liability and memoranda of understanding between parties. Resolution 24 of 2025 authorizes the city to negotiate and enter into a professional services agreement with Urban Engineers, Inc., to provide construction inspection and construction management services on an as-needed basis; city staff described an understaffed engineering department and a high volume of infrastructure work as the rationale for the contract.

Two appointment resolutions (25 and 26 of 2025) were moved to the Public Safety Committee for further consideration; resolution 27 of 2025, which would retain BADA Environmental Associates for environmental and geotechnical consultant services on the Mooers Manor aquatic facility project, was referred to the Parks, Recreation and Enrichment Committee.

Votes at a glance: all roll-call votes recorded in the session show Councilmembers Daniels, Davis, Green, Rolls, Rodriguez and President Bowers voting “yes” on the measures that were adopted. The council did not record any “no,” “abstain,” or “recused” votes on the adopted resolutions.

Council leaders said additional public hearings and state processes remain for some items — notably the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board review tied to the amended downtown noise-exempt map — and that residents will have further opportunities to review the revised map at the PLCB hearing.","The City Council voted 6-0 on multiple resolutions including appointments to advisory bodies, a professional services agreement with Urban Engineers Inc., and an amended petition to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board restoring a larger downtown noise-exempt area.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents and council press for Division Street safety fixes; parks upgrades to move forward in coming months

Residents press council on policing, alleged officer misconduct and camera use

Harrisburg council approves appointments, engineering contract and restores downtown noise-exempt map