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Residents urge Vision Zero and better crossings after crosswalk crash; council hears safety complaints
Summary
Public commenters urged Schenectady to adopt pedestrian-first infrastructure and Vision Zero goals and raised concerns about a crosswalk crash and the police response. Council members acknowledged the concerns and said they would consider them.
Schenectady — Residents urged the City of Schenectady on May 12 to prioritize pedestrian safety, adopt Vision Zero principles and improve crosswalks and winter sidewalk maintenance after public comments described near-misses and a serious crash.
Sean Radigan, a resident and public commenter, called on Schenectady to “pursue a formal effort to build pedestrian-first infrastructure and embrace Vision 0, in a mission to drive traffic deaths to 0 in our city.” Radigan urged the city to expand protected bike lanes, improve bus frequency and keep sidewalks reliably cleared in winter so residents can rely on alternatives to driving.
David Giacalone, a resident who also spoke during open comment, described repeated close calls while crossing Erie Boulevard and said his friend Kathy Fitzmorris (name as spoken in the meeting) was struck in a crosswalk at Lafayette and Union Street. Giacalone criticized the police department’s handling of that crash investigation and said the victim was not properly interviewed. “When she was told, we didn't have to do a throwaway study because you were right over there ... I've seen the body cam. She was over there. And she was flat on her back,” Giacalone said. He added that, a year later, she still cannot work.
Giacalone also alleged that the driver involved was connected to a well-known local businessman and suggested that may have affected the response; those are his remarks reported from public comment and attributed to him. The council did not take formal action on those allegations during the meeting; no council directive or staff assignment on the crash investigation is recorded in the public transcript.
Council members thanked speakers for raising safety concerns. Council Member Farley said he was proud of the city’s inclusiveness in a separate remark on pride events but also acknowledged traffic-safety concerns raised earlier in the meeting.
No formal Vision Zero plan or specific infrastructure project was proposed or adopted at the May 12 meeting. Commenters and several council members encouraged further conversation and follow-up. The council adjourned after approving the consent agenda and did not schedule an immediate, formal public hearing or staff report on Vision Zero during that session.
