Whereas there have been seven roadway deaths in Pittsfield since 2020, and,

Whereas a mother was killed and her child hospitalized from a crash on lower West Street that occurred on January 30, 2023, and,

Whereas the lower West Street neighborhood has been historically disadvantaged for the better part of the past century, and,

Whereas the citizens of Pittsfield deserve equal assurances of safety when traveling by foot, bicycle, car or transit.

Now, therefore, we the undersigned demand that: (1) The City of Pittsfield leadership take immediate steps to improve the safety of this portion of West Street, in order to prevent another tragedy from occurring. Action can be taken today to slow vehicles and reduce crossing distances.

(2) The city prioritize a corridor study of West Street, along with Government Drive and College Way, from Merriam Street to Columbus Avenue, in order to implement long-term, capital safety improvements.