To the Editor:
I am writing out of genuine concern for the safety of our community. Since Friday night’s storm, a large tree has been left leaning on utility wires over the busy intersection of 6th Street and Clifton Avenue. Nearly 48 hours have passed, yet the danger remains.
Police initially responded and taped off the area, but the tape came down overnight. On Sunday, children were seen playing directly beneath the tree before police returned to re-tape the area. As the attached photo shows, after officers left, the tree was still hanging over the roadway and sidewalk, posing a risk to anyone passing below.
Residents have been told that removing the tree is JCP&L’s responsibility. Whether that is the case or not, the fact remains that this hazardous situation continues to exist over one of Lakewood’s busiest intersections. Cars continue to drive underneath it, pedestrians continue to walk by it, and families continue to pass through the area.
Storm cleanup takes time, and everyone understands that crews have been working tirelessly across the region. But when a tree is visibly suspended over a busy public intersection for nearly two days, many residents are left wondering whether enough is being done to protect the public before someone is seriously injured.
I hope this issue receives the attention it deserves and is resolved before an avoidable tragedy occurs.
— A Concerned Lakewood Resident
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Lakewood Alerts. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
If you are so concerned you should call the electric company on your own and complain to them especially that you know it’s there problem
We had a huge tree like that in our backyard. We paid $3000 to get it removed.
Can the property owner post a link people could give money to and get that monster down?
Where are our elected officials?
Most of our elected Township officials have been in office for over 20 years, and this is the result when there is a guaranteed vote for getting reelected. If this does not change, it will, sadly, only get much worse.
We need change!!
They don’t appear to be main transmission cables that are bare wire, but rubber coated wires going to a house. Certainly don’t touch the bare ends if it comes down, but I don’t think the rest of the cable is as dangerous as bare wire.
The tree is in the township or county right of way, so it’s not the homeowner’s responsibility. If the homeowner tries to remove the tree and something goes wrong , the homeowner gets into trouble. Because of the wires, jcpl needs to be involved. But right of way owner and jcpl are responsible to clear the hazard. And should be put on notice of their liability for negligence if the tree and wires cause damage, injury, or worse r”l