Montclair Speaks: Let There Be Light(s)

 
It’s not hard to think of issues that have become divisive in Montclair’s recent history, including to PARCC or not to PARCC, building heights, the merits of self storage facilities, assisted living facilities, and yes, all the hullabaloo over the last council election (hold onto your hats, because we will soon be entering the next Montclair election season). But, last week, when we shined a light on what residents believe are the too dark streets of Montclair, there was little if any disagreement.

Yes, they are. I am contemplating night vision goggles. #montclairnj https://t.co/XjbMEdXeTD

— Selma Avdicevic (@selma_avdicevic) December 4, 2015

Montclair residents came together in (almost) unanimous agreement that Montclair streets need more and better lighting. Here’s what we learned from what Montclair had to say in comments and on social media in response to Montclair: The Streets Are Too Damn Dark (links to both articles have been sent to town council members):

This hits right to home. I recently spoke at a Town Council conference meeting about an experience I had walking down Forest Street from Glenridge Avenue. It was pitch black out there @ 7 p.m., without any lighting on either side of the street as far as I could see; almost to Claremont Avenue. I was so anxious that I walked slowly, waiting for car lights to give me some way to see where I was. Let’s see if anything changes.

People don’t want to drive at night in Montclair. Readers brought up avoiding driving altogether and frightening incidents of almost hitting people numerous times because of dark streets, worrying about pedestrians/joggers who walk in streets instead of sidewalks wearing dark clothes, and how it’s nearly impossible to see until you are almost on top of someone.

The crosswalk on Park Street at the Watchung Ave. train station is horribly lit, as is the sidewalk at Watchung Park. You take your life in your hands trying to cross the crosswalk as cars barrel down Watchung and around the corner.

Which streets need more light? All of them! Many readers stressed that ALL STREETS in Montclair need more lights, and especially at all crosswalks. “Lights should be placed near all crosswalks, schools, commercial zones and train stations.” Describing streets as deadly dark, readers volunteered specific streets in need of light (scroll down to see list below).

All the streets are pretty bad, and when you’re coming home on the DeCamp bus it’s almost impossible to make out your stop. I’ve missed it several times for this reason.

Lights are not adequate or maintained. Readers cited Carolin and Plymouth as roads where trees have grown to engulf street lights, rendering them inefficient. Others questioned whether street lights are strong enough as many appear dim.

People don’t feel safe. “I would love to ride my bike to and from the train station but riding home after dark is too dangerous.” Others voiced concerns about muggings on streets that are poorly lit or tripping in the dark because sidewalks were broken up. “Too many people commute here and walk back to their houses for there not to be proper lighting. Add some rain or ice to the mix and it is a recipe for disaster.”

LIGHT THESE STREETS:

Park Street (!)

Claremont Ave. (incredibly dark. Especially cross streets of Forest, Willow and Greenwood used by Walnut Ave. train commuters).

Grove Street (crosswalks are not properly lit, “solar powered lights are just not strong enough.”)

Chestnut St. “By the shaking rink!! So dark and dangerous with kids crossing the street after skate lessons in evening.”

North Mountain Ave. “Walking home from the UM train is like a horror movie waiting to happen!”

Virginia Ave. (“had a few close calls driving down that street in the dark.”)

South Mountain Ave. (“It’s impossible to see anyone until they’re right in front of you, even WITH using lights on a bike and with people carrying them as they walk.”)

Union Street
Forest Street
Orange Road
Carolin Rd.
Plymouth St.
Montclair Ave.
Elm St.

(Don’t see your street? Add your own in comments)

WHAT WOULD HELP?

“Have you seen the transformation of Glenridge Avenue between Bay Street Station and Grove Street? The street has been properly lit and looks great and safer.”

“If you are a runner and run at night, please please please wear those blinking lights on your body – in several places. It is so helpful for drivers to see you blinking and bobbing down the side of the road.”

“The multi-disciplinary approach vision zero (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_Zero) sets to change that. It would be nice to see our town planners, the county, etc. adopt some of these measures.”

Yes some areas could use better lighting. Until then my advice would be not to dress in Ninja attire, i.e. dress in black from head to toe, and expect drivers to see you. Something reflective or light colored clothing helps tremendously. As pedestrians, or runners, don’t just assume that drivers see you, and please use the sidewalks. I was surprised by a black clad runner with a tiny flashlight when pulling onto Grove St. several weeks ago. She was in the street, not the crosswalk, and basically invisible. Scared the heck out of me.

While comments, social media and our reader poll overwhelmingly supported the need for more lights, a few readers did express a desire to keep things dark, citing concerns for nocturnal animals, the beauty of the dark and an assertion that Montclair is a suburb and that the lighting was appropriate for a suburb. Proponents of keeping the dark recommended that people drive slower and carry flashlights.