It was sidewalks, curbs, trees, bad housing and law enforcement issues during a discussion of quality of life problems in Buffalo, sponsored by Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant (D-Buffalo) in the Merriweather Library.
Quality of life issues are always the subject of discussion in Buffalo, from loud car sound systems to defective sidewalks, an issue currently because of the death of a seven-month old whose stroller was hit by a car on Moselle Street. Her mother and aunt used the street because of the sidewalks.
Legislator Grant says there are a lot of quality of life issues, but the Moselle Street case triggered this meeting.
"If she possibly had not been in the street, she might possibly be alive today. So, we're letting the City of Buffalo know, as well as the County of Erie, that we have to maintain our sidewalks, our streets and curbs," Grant said. "Because if someone is on a sidewalk and they are not being fixed, either the owner has to fix them up or the city has to fix them up and we should not have people walking the street because the sidewalk is unsafe to travel."
Danise Wilson from the Otis and Woodlawn Block Club said residents want better garbage collection on vacant lots.
"We put out our own trash container and it's not being emptied. So, it's up to us to to really empty that out and maintain the trash and stuff that goes into that lot, not to mention just to get it cut most of the time, it requires three 311 calls," she said.
Wilson said there are also problems with landlords who need to be better controlled. That's a long-term problem, still being dealt with in City Hall. Others at the meeting talked about problems with bad housing that should be demolished, worn-out streets and worn-out curbs.
University District Common Councilmember Rasheed Wyatt said he needs to work with citizens who want change, who are willing to fight for what they want.
"I need the people to tell me: What are some of the issues? If there are sidewalks issues, please tell me. If there are tree issues, if there're housing issues, if there are crime issues, you need to tell me," Wyatt said. "But, at the end of the day, there are vehicles as well. We have an E District police meeting every month, that if there are crime issues, that you can come and speak to Chief Menza right at the E District police precinct right on Bailey, so that you can tell them there're crime issues."
Mayor Byron W. Brown announced this evening that summer speed limit enforcement operations have begun in two areas of the city of Buffalo.
In a separate written statement, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said that Buffalo Police will monitor the Moselle Street area and the Best Street area. At the request of Fillmore District Councilman David Franczyk, he directed the enforcement on Moselle Street to begin immediately, after residents in the area shared their concerns with him.
Brown added that police will conduct similar enforcement activities in other areas of the city over the next few months.
