For Immediate Release

Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Newburyport Police Department and Resident Receive AAA Traffic Safety Awards

NEWBURYPORT– City Marshal Mark Murray is pleased to announce that the Newburyport Police Department and Newburyport resident, Christine Wallace, received traffic safety awards from AAA last month.

Marshal Murray, Lt. Matthew Simons and Wallace attended the Northeast Community Traffic Safety Award Luncheon on Dec. 16 at the Marriott Burlington.

While there, Newburyport Police received the Silver Award in recognition of their efforts to promote traffic safety in the community. Wallace received the Community Traffic Safety Hero award, which honors a member of the community who contributed to the safety of the city or town during the previous year. She was nominated by Sgt. Jason Kohan due to her efforts to make Merrimac Street a safer road in the community.

“We’re honored to be recognized by AAA for our efforts to improve traffic safety,” Marshal Murray said. “Not only am I proud of the department, but I’m also proud of residents like Christine, who are committed to ensuring roads are safe to travel on for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.”

As a resident of Merrimac Street, Wallace witnessed many safety issues over the years. The street sees more than 1,000 cars a day and is also utilized by pedestrians and cyclists to access Pioneer Field, an area consisting of three baseball fields and a playground. Parking options were limited, with space available on or just off the street.

Wallace recognized a need to increase traffic safety and created the Merrimac Street Safety Group in an effort to gain support and information to present to city officials.

Her work resulted in freshly painted crosswalk and parking lines, the trimming of trees and bushes at corners to increase visibility, new pedestrian crossing signs at crosswalks and a large off-street parking lot for Pioneer Field.

Wallace and the group are now working on reducing the speed limit in the area of Pioneer Field.

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