Be careful--bend in Beeler dangerous in winter!

This morning, a car failed to make the turn, hit a parked car, went up onto the sidewalk (see the tracks in the picture below), and hit a retaining wall.  The damage to both cars was bad, but thank heavens there was no one on the sidewalk!  And the driver was not hurt either.

I regularly urge my family and everybody else not to stand on the sidewalk on the west side of the street.  In the eight years I have lived on the street I have seen 5 accidents at the bend, and those are only the ones I know about.  One took out the utility pole.

So take extra care at the bend during the winter, both walking and driving.

BSA Meeting--November 30

The CMU office of Student Affairs has invited the Beeler Street Association to a meeting on Tuesday, November 30, 7:00-8:30 p.m., at the CMU University Center, 2nd Floor, Rangos 3 (same place as the August meeting).

We will hear from CMU about its efforts to reach out to and work with students, neighbors, and law enforcement regarding issues relating to noise, vandalism, and other destructive behavior on the street.  Things tend to be a bit more quiet when the weather gets cold and drives party-goers indoors, but the issues certainly do not go away.  So let's get together and learn about what has been done and what more can be done.

CMU will provide refreshments.  

Pedestrian safety survey

As part of the study of pedestrian safety issues with respect to 11 intersections in Oakland and near CMU, the Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative has posted an on-line community survey and "asks that members of the affected study area complete the survey so that they may better understand the community's needs."  Among other things, it asks questions about modes of transportation, pedestrian safety, and bicycling.   CLICK HERE to complete the survey.

Minutes of Beeler Street meeting

CLICK HERE to see the minutes of the Beeler Street Association meeting held in August.  In italics are actions that have been taken since the meeting.  Many thanks to Councilman Bill Peduto and chief of staff Dan Gilman for acting quickly to address many of the items.  Some individual neighbors are also following up on their own. 

BSA will regroup in a few months and get some updates from CMU and talk more about persistent issues affecting the street.

Safety Alert

Pittsburgh Police are reporting a number of burglaries in the Squirrel Hill and Greenfield areas. The burglars enter through unlocked windows and doors usually between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The burglars take laptop computers, purses and jewelry.  The Post-Gazette recently reported on this matter. 

Take care, lock your doors, and call 911 if you see any suspicious activity or an actual crime.

Beeler Street picnic Sunday

Carnegie Mellon University will host Beeler Street neighbors this Sunday, September 19, 5-7 p.m., for a picnic on the grassy knoll next to Doherty Apartments (up the steps at Beeler and Forbes). Neighbor David Chickering will fire up the grill with the help of some student volunteers.  (Meat and veggie options available.) Residents are asked to bring sides and desserts to share, and a chair if you like.

Come out and enjoy the beautiful weather and meet your neighbors.  Hope to see you there!

Cars ignore stopped school bus at Forbes & Beeler

School is back in but many drivers remain oblivious to state laws that require drivers to stop for school buses. This video, shot today, shows what typically happens at Forbes and Beeler as kids are getting off of the bus--car after car after car violating the law and endangering children.  CMU and Zone 4 police have been alerted.