Northampton County Removes Pedestrian Crossing For Workers, Public

Crosswalk from Milides Building to courthouse

Although Deputy Sheriffs have been spotted providing valet service to a few judges who have their very own private entrance to the courthouse, Northampton County is displaying appalling disregard for their own employees and the public. Agent 99 has reported to me that a pedestrian crossing, which is supposed to help the public and employees cross the street on their way to the courthouse, has suddenly disappeared. I learned yesterday that she's right.

Butler and Washington

There is a parking deck next to the courthouse, but it fills up pretty quickly. Parts of it are regularly blocked off because, now and then, parts of the roof have been known to collapse onto cars or change their colors. Most employees and members of the public park in a lot at the Milides Building which is across the street from the courthouse, or in the lot below.

At the Milides building, there's a pedestrian crossing for people to cross busy Washington Street. It has been there since courthouse construction started in around 2002. A sign was placed there to warn oncoming traffic, but two people have still been stuck by cars. One person, a County employee, was seriously injured.

Last weekend, the County, in its infinite wisdom, removed the pedestrian crossing sign. It also sent some painters out to paint over the crosswalk, although as you can see, it is still very visible.

What prompted this action?

Apparently, the County knuckled under to a demand from the Panto Parking Police that they immediately close the pedestrian crossing and remove all signs.

Employees and the public are required to cross the street at Union and Washington Street, located 43 miles from the courthouse, or at 7th and Washington. Of course anyone who crosses at 7th and Washington to get to the Milides lot will have to walk across the intersection of Butler and Washington, which is extremely dangerous and has no crosswalk.

Though there are numerous crosswalks just like the one scattered throughout Easton, in the middle of City blocks, the County was nevertheless instructed to get rid of its crossing or Panto will be around with his tow truck.

Instead of fighting this ridiculous and probably illegal command, the County just knuckled under, just like it did in its challenge of Easton's commuter tax.

Exec John Brown and Deputy Administrator Cathy Allen have there own reserved paring spots, so what do they care?  

When I asked Administrator Luis Campos why the County is not fighting this ridiculous order, he told me the County is looking into it and mentioned concerns about liability. When I pointed out that there could be liability to a person who gets smacked by traffic while trying to cross  Butler Street, Campos said, "I don't disagree."