Families for Safe Streets at our first 2020 meeting
Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia (FSSGP), an organization made up of families who’ve been affected by traffic violence in the Delaware Valley Region, recently held their first meeting of the year, where they discussed 2020 priorities, and expanding the message of a people-powered safe streets campaign.
FSSGP is a local chapter of a national advocacy organization advancing safety for all road users, and a support network for families who’ve lost loved ones to traffic violence.
Over the past year-and-a-half, FSSGP has worked to enact several policy changes in the City of Philadelphia, including better reporting and transparency from the Philadelphia Police Department and District Attorney’s Office. FSSGP members also helped pass speed camera legislation in Pennsylvania, and have worked for safer bicycle travel.
But the group says they’re just getting started. Among the goals for 2020, FSSGP hopes to work with Philadelphia City Council to expand Philadelphia’s protected bike lane network and use of automated enforcement throughout the City of Philadelphia.
Additionally, FSSGP is working with a therapist who will offer services to our members who ask for it. That particular membership benefit is still being worked out, and we will have an update as soon as we know exactly what role the therapist we are speaking with will play in FSSGP. Additionally, we are working for a better noise ordinance policy in the City of Philadelphia (to keep large trucks off the streets during rush hour) and hope to make an effort to push for more speed safety legislation in the coming year, on streets outside of just Northeast Philadelphia, where speed is a large factor pertaining to vehicular crashes.
FSSGP is always looking for new families and volunteers to help their mission. Those interested should email families@bicyclecoalition.org.