Senator Fuschillo & Town of Hempstead Announce Installation of New Speed Safety Signs at Local Schools

     Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo (fourth left), Supervisor Murray (center), and Councilman Hudes (second right) are joined by North Bellmore School District Superintendent Marie Testa, Park Avenue School Principal Eileen Speidel, PTA Executive Board members Jennifer Green and Stephanie Williams, and Park Avenue students in unveiling the new speed awareness sign in front of the school. 

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, and Councilman Gary Hudes today unveiled the first batch of speed awareness signs that the town will be installing to increase safety at seven local schools. Senator Fuschillo secured $50,000 in state funding for the Town of Hempstead to purchase and install the signs. 

     Speed awareness signs are electronic signs that notify drivers of the speed at which they are travelling. These signs have proven very effective in slowing motorists and preventing speeding, especially in school speed zones. 

     "School zones are filled with hundreds of students and parents walking to and from the school building; speeding drivers pose a dangerous threat to their safety. Installing these speed signs will help deter motorists from speeding and enhance the safety of children, parents, and drivers. I am pleased to have secured state funding for the Town of Hempstead to make these important safety improvements," said Senator Fuschillo. 

     “These speed control signs are an investment in the safety of our children,” said Supervisor Murray. “Drawing upon a grant from Senator Fuschillo, town employees are installing these signs at local neighborhood schools. Thank you Senator Fuschillo.”

     The first batch of signs to be unveiled were at Saw Mill Road and Park Avenue Schools in the North Bellmore School District. Speed awareness signs will also be installed at Forest Lake and Mandalay Elementary Schools in the Wantagh School District, Seaford Middle School in the Seaford School District, Grand Avenue Middle School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, and Centennial Avenue Elementary School in the Roosevelt School District. Each school will receive two signs, one for each direction of the affected roads. The 2’x3’ signs are programmable and, if desired, can be turned off when school is not in session.

     According to the Town of Hempstead, all of the signs will be installed by the end of October, prior to daylight savings time when it is darker outside while children are traveling to and from school.

     “I am happy that several schools in my councilmatic district will be the recipients of these important signs,” said Councilman Gary Hudes. “There is nothing more important than the safety of our children.”

     Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby added, “I was thrilled to learn that Centennial Avenue Elementary School would receive two of these valuable safety devices. West Centennial Avenue is a busy street right off of North Long Beach Avenue, so these signs will truly help protect students.”

     “I would like to thank Senator Fuschillo for securing funds for Hempstead Town to obtain these signs,” said Councilwoman Angie Cullin.