Smart Boards inside, Speed Cameras Outside PS 81

  State Senator Jeff Klein stopped by PS 81 in the North Riverdale Section of his district to drop off a check for $25,000.00 to the school for the purchase of several "Smart Boards". Klein went into a classroom to see just how one of the Smart Boards are helping the students. PS 81 Principal Anne Kirrane thanked Senator Klein for giving the school the Smart Boards saying "It is an unbelievable tool for the students". She added that it is good teaching and engages the children in what is being taught. Several students gave Senator Klein a demonstration by using the Smart Board to solve a math problem.

 Senator Klein is joined by Principal Kirrane (to his left), other staff members and students of PS 81 who are holding the check to PS 81 from Senator Klein.
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  A little later Senator Jeff Klein outside of PS 81 on Riverdale Avenue near West 256th Street was joined by NYC DOT commissioner Janette Sadik Kahn and the Co-Presidents of the school Parents Association to push for speed cameras in front of PS 81.

  Senator Klein had statistics showing that on May 17th 2013 from 9:30 - 11 AM that 46 percent of the drivers were driving over the speed limit of 30 MPH in front of PS 81. On May 22nd from 11 AM - 1 PM Senator Klein's statistics showed that 71 percent of drivers were driving over the speed limit of 30 MPH. This report was done by Senator Klein's office after the NYCDOT released a study in March that showed on Riverdale Avenue outside PS 81 there were 96 percent of the drivers speeding. 

  Klein said "The results are clear: speeding on Riverdale Avenue is a real threat to the safety of students, teachers and members of the Riverdale community. But that doesn’t need to continue. Research shows that when people know they might be caught, they slow down. That’s critically important in school zones, where even five miles per hour can make the difference between life and death for a child. I’m pleased to stand here with Commissioner Sadik-Khan today so that we can encourage my legislative colleagues to approve the use of these speed cameras right away.”

  “There is no passing grade for people speeding near our schools and putting our children’s lives in danger,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. “We need to bring the rampant speeding that occurs near our schools every day to a screeching halt, and I join Senator Klein and call on his colleagues in Albany to move full speed ahead on this life-saving legislation."

   When questioned about the lack of enforcement by the police department of the speeding, Senator Klein answered that a police officer can not be stationed outside every school. 

 

Left - Senator Klein speaking about the issue of speeding outside of PS 81 on Riverdale Avenue. NYCDOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan is to his right while the PA Co-Presidents are to his left.

Right NYCDOT commissioner Sadik-Khan goes over statistics of the result of the severity of injuries to people as a cars speed is higher.