In the hours following a rally led by Nassau County Legislator Patrick Williams (D-Uniondale) and almost a year after two youths were killed by automobiles on the streets outside their Uniondale schools, a school speed zone was designated outside Turtle Hook Middle School in Uniondale.

Legislator Williams led a contingency of Uniondale community leaders and residents to the February 26 Town of Hempstead board meeting to protest the lack of action in addressing the dangerous traffic conditions near many Uniondale Schools. In early 2001, Kryston Batson was struck and killed by an automobile on Jerusalem Ave. outside of Turtle Hook Middle School, and Luis Hernandez was killed on Nassau Road outside of Northern Parkway Elementary School. Last month, the parents of one of the children killed filed suit against the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County and the Uniondale School District.

During the meeting, residents vented their frustration and shared their concerns about the unsafe traffic conditions surrounding many Uniondale schools where cars are allowed to travel at high speeds with no impediments. Legislator Williams has argued for the creation of 20-mph school speed zones, additional crossing guards, the creation of one-way streets on congested side streets during school hours, flashing lights indicating school zones, and additional stop signs on the surrounding roadways.

"We have a legal and moral responsibility to avoid any future incidents and to ensure that no child's life is written off because of the ineptitude of a town and county that cannot get their collective act together," said Legislator Williams in a statement to the board.

After hearing about the scheduled protest, town and county officials began working to address the residents concerns. The day prior to the protest, the Town of Hempstead received a letter from the Nassau County Police Department recommending the creation of a School Zone outside of Turtle Hook Middle School. The town subsequently passed a resolution at the board meeting to hold a public hearing and later installed signs creating a 30-mph speed zone.

"I, as well as the residents of Uniondale, are appreciative of the action that has taken place today," said Legislator Williams after hearing of the Town of Hempstead's decision to create a 30-mph school zone. "However, this is only the beginning. Many of the children attending Uniondale schools are still at risk due to the unsafe traffic conditions surrounding their schools, and we urge the town and county to work together in an ongoing effort to create 20-mph school zones near all schools."