After the recent snowstorm in the tristate, many sidewalks and crosswalks in our community remain blocked, narrowed, or completely impassable. This is not just an inconvenience — it is a safety failure that puts pedestrians at risk every sintri-state,
When a neighbor is away or simply doesn’t shovel, that does not excuse leaving the sidewalk buried. It takes only a few minutes to clear a basic path. Choosing not to do so forces people into the street, into deep snow, or into dangerous footing. I have personally struggled to walk down entire blocks because multiple homes left their sidewalks untouched. That is not bad luck — that is neglect.
Crosswalks are just as bad, if not worse. Snowbanks left by plows routinely block curb cuts and crossings, turning what should be safe pedestrian zones into physical obstacles. People are being forced to climb over snow piles or step into traffic to cross the street.
This is unacceptable. If you live on a block with a buried crosswalk and do nothing, you are contributing to a dangerous condition.
Narrow, single-file paths are also not enough. Sidewalks should be cleared wide enough for two people to pass. When they are not, one person is forced into deep snow, ice, or the roadway. That creates avoidable risk and shows a lack of basic consideration for others in the neighborhood.
Safe sidewalks do not happen by accident — they happen when residents take ownership of their small but critical role in keeping the neighborhood accessible.
Everyone benefits from clear, safe walkways. Everyone should be expected to help provide them. If we can shovel our driveways, we can shovel our sidewalks and help clear crosswalks. Anything less is choosing convenience over community safety.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Neighbor
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9 Responses
Concerned,
One can only be expected to properly shovel their own sidewalk, not those of their neighbors or the crosswalks.
Yes, Mr. Karen. Will do, Mr. Karen.
Shall we also all make sure to dig out every snowed in car?
What about the icicles hanging from all the roofs? Shall we form groups who will be responsible for going house to house knocking down all hanging icicles?
What about the pedestrian crossing lights? Should we appoint people to make sure every light is fully cleaned from snow and visible?
Yes, it’s annoying when people don’t shovel their sidewalks. But don’t give me a rulebook about who should be cleaning crosswalks, the size of the paths, etc. No one is listening.
Exactly, Concerned Neighbor. As I wrote to the last one, here.. take my shovel and ice pick, it’s at my door. You can do the side walk here, across the street, across the avenue. And the next block. And the next. I’ll lend you my shovel until my whole neighborhood is cleared.
Anything less is choosing convenience over community safety.
If you own the property, you have an obligation to clear the sidewalk. If you are afraid of how it will look to others, pay somebody to do it.
Please, you’re complaining about a mitzvah bein Adam L’Chaveiro, that doesn’t interest us, not a mitzvah.
Now on the other hand, had you said that shoveling your sidewack was a segula of Rav Yehudah Hachasid, wrll then everyone would be fighting over the opportunity to do it, even they’d do the neighbor’s without even being asked! (Sad)
Please, you’re complaining about a mitzvah bein Adam L’Chaveiro, that doesn’t interest us, not a mitzvah.
Now on the other hand, had you said that shoveling your sidewack was a segula of Rav Yehudah Hachasid, well then everyone would be fighting over the opportunity to do it, even they’d do the neighbor’s without even being asked! (Sad)
The whole city is covered with snow. The mayor couldn’t care less. His goal is to destroy America. Make the streets unsafe. Make the streets dirty. Bankrupt the city. Working people should suffer getting their cars out for work. It’s a plan to destroy America.
Hmmm, maybe the neighbors should get together and hire somebody to do it properly. Oh wait, they already do. It’s called municipal taxes. Why doesn’t the city clear it like they do in civilized places?
Is there a grammar/spelling mistake at the end of the first paragraph? What’s the letter writer saying?