Commissioner Bratton on a Threat to Pedestrians

Dear Diary:

During two weeks in January there were three pedestrian fatalities in our Upper West Side neighborhood, around 96th and Broadway. Friends and family have been warning each other, talking solutions and hoping for police action.

On the day following one of the incidents â€" a young medical student was fatally hit on 96th Street â€" I crossed Broadway and spotted Police Commissioner William J. Bratton standing on the sidewalk conferring with what looked like top police brass. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity.

“Congratulations on your appointment, Commissioner,” I said, offering my hand. “Welcome to New York. How about some speed bumps on Broadway?”

“Speed bumps?” he replied. “What we need are trenches.”

I’m glad to see we have someone who is thinking outside the box.

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