On Sunday, February 28, the Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets (SASS) will hold a virtual public summit focused on the safety issues faced by Somerville’s street users. In just the past two years, four pedestrians were killed by drivers and at least 160 pedestrians and cyclists were injured in crashes with motorists. This is far too many incidents for a Vision Zero city that is committed to eliminating deaths and serious injuries from vehicle crashes.

SASS, made up of residents, parents, vulnerable street and sidewalk users, business owners, and public officials, was formed to raise awareness about street safety  and push city leaders  to honor the community’s shared values and stated commitments to safety, accessibility, equitable investment, and to mitigate the effects of climate change.

SASS has created a Declaration and Call to Action, available for review at https://tinyurl.com/SASSdeclaration The Declaration was submitted to City Council with over 200 signatures, and will be discussed at the Council meeting on February 11. Somerville residents, business owners and street users are encouraged to sign on. Over two hundred residents have already committed to attending the Summit.

The Safe Streets Summit will roll out the Declaration and Call to Action, feature the experiences of multiple community members, and outline requests of the mayor and the City Council. The Summit will demonstrate broad public support for more resources to tackle the backlog of recommendations from Somerville’s many visions and action plans that, if implemented, will advance the cause of safety and equity.

All are invited to attend the virtual Summit on Safe Streets, Sunday, February 28, 4:00 -5:00 p.m.

Please consider signing on to the Call to Action when you register by going to https://tinyurl.com/SASSsignon. 

For more information, please contact SASS at somervillesafestreets@gmail.com.