In light of Hoboken crash, NJ Transit won’t allow engineers who exhibit apnea symptoms to operate trains
On Nov 16 the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced they are working on regulations to address worker fatigue and will issue a safety advisory to push for railroad companies and agencies to address this concern. This comes in the wake of the Hoboken Terminal train crash in September which injured over 100 people and killed Hoboken resident Fabiola De Kroon. Thomas Gallagher, the train engineer, has reportedly been diagnosed with untreated sleep apnea, although the federal investigators have yet to conclude it could be the cause of the crash.
Last week, NJ Transit stated that it no longer allows its engineers who exhibit symptoms of sleep apnea to operate trains until properly diagnosed and treated.
“The Sleep Apnea Screening Process has been in place since at least 2005;however, we instituted an interim measurement of the screening process in October 2016 [after the crash] when NJ TRANSIT’s new physician took a look at the physical exam process, one of which was sleep apnea.” said Nancy Snyder of NJ Transit.
After the crash, the engineer said he did not remember the impact.
Snyder also said NJTransit has taken other safety measures, including having a conductor ride in the cab car with the engineer when arriving at Hoboken and Atlantic City Terminals. Also, NJ Transit has reduced the speed limit in Hoboken Terminal from 10 mph to 5 mph. A preliminary report suggested that the train sped up when entering the terminal and was going 21 miles per hour when it slammed into the end of the rail line.
In March of this year, the FRA had released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM). This is the first step of the FRA in which they will consider whether to propose requirements on railroads which will specifically address sleep apnea.
Correction to our Thanksgiving volunteering/free meal story
It was erroneously reported last week that CarePoint Health has provided ShopRite gift cards of $100 to local organizations that serve the needy. The amount was actually $10. The cards have already been distributed, according to Jarrod Bernstein, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for CarePoint Health. The number for CarePoint Health is 877-791-7000.
Police institute pedestrian safety campaign
The Hoboken Police Department is engaged in a pedestrian safety education and enforcement initiative throughout November that will include motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
During the initiative police officers in plain clothes will pose as pedestrians crossing the street while a team of officers observe and stop vehicles failing to stop for pedestrians.
During pedestrian decoy operations in the past two weeks, police issued 41 summons for failure to stop for pedestrians, three summons for driving while on a mobile phone, one summons for disregarding a crossing guard/traffic control officer, and nine warnings.
Mile Square Theatre presents ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’
From Nov. 30 through Dec. 18 the Mile Square Theatre will perform “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” According to a press release the theatre space will be “transformed into a 1940s radio studio, the audience is transported to the golden age of radio, as cast members from radio station WMST perform Frank Capra’s classic holiday tale of individualism, optimism and community.”
The show will be at 1400 Clinton St. on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. General admission is $30 and $18 for students and seniors.
Tickets available at www.milesquaretheatre.org, or by calling 201-683-7014.
Hoboken resident arrested on eight count of burglary
Marcus Hernandez, age 39, was charged with eight counts of burglary, one count of criminal attempt burglary, six counts of thefts, one count of fraudulent use of credit cards, one count of criminal mischief, one count of possession of a hypodermic syringe, and two counts of bail jumping on Tuesday, according to a press release from the Hoboken Police Department.
A Hoboken resident called police the afternoon of Nov. 22 and stated that he was following a male he believed to have burglarized his residence. Police stopped Hernandez who was apparently wanted on five open warrants from the City of Hoboken and had an additional two Failure to Appear warrants from Jersey City and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office.
The media release tells residents to check their home for access points such as windows and to double lock doors and to not leave property in common areas of their buildings like garages and vestibules.
“Do not leave property unsecured inside these common areas and make arrangements to have packages picked up by trusted neighbors rather than letting them sit there.”
Hoboken Green Team to host reusable bag giveaway and food drive
Mayor Dawn Zimmer and the Hoboken Green Team will host two reusable bag giveaway and food drive events. The first is on Tuesday Nov. 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at ShopRite at 900 Madison St and the second is the following day at Acme at 614 Clinton St. from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Hoboken Green Team will distribute 800 reusable bags at each event for free, one per person. The Green Team hopes to discourage single use bags and encourage residents to bring reusable bags for all shopping trips.
Hoboken Girl Scouts and Stevens S.T.E.P. volunteers will assist with a food drive to benefit the Hoboken Shelter. Customers are encouraged to purchase items for donation listed at www.hobokenshelter.org/items-needed.
After the drive and giveaway the Green Team will host a movie screening of Plastic Paradise on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at Willie McBrides at 616 Grand St.
Approximately 4.4 billion single use shopping bags are used annually in New Jersey. Windblown plastic bags degrade our City’s environment and pollute the Hudson River, harming marine life.
To learn more about the Hoboken Green Team, please visit www.hobokennj.gov/greenteam.
Hoboken hosts tenant advocate office hours
Andrew Sobel, Esq. will have office hours available for residents seeking advice on housing matters. Sobel will be available by appointment on Thursday Dec. 8 and Thursday Dec. 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Any Hoboken resident who wants to make an appointment must email (mwright@sobelhan.com) or call his office at (973) 874-5545 in advance and provide a description of the issue to be discussed. Sobel will host the office hours in the basement conference room of City Hall at 94 Washington St.
Bill to protect drivers with gap in auto insurance passes the Assembly
Local Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro’s bill, which would prohibit automobile insurance companies from rating drivers based on a gap in car insurance, was approved by the New Jersey General Assembly On Nov. 21 by a 52-19 vote.
The bill was also sponsored by 33rd District Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and 31st District Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, and co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez (D-32).
“Despite strong pushback from special interests, I was glad to see my colleagues put their constituents first to support this legislation to protect all New Jersey residents from increases in insurance when there is a gap in coverage,” Chaparro said. “If we’re going to mandate that drivers have insurance, we need to ensure they’re being judged based on their driving record and not factors that tend to favor only certain New Jersey residents.”
A report from the Consumer Federation of America concluded that non-driving rating factors can increase rates by 59 percent each year for drivers with perfect driving records.
“If someone’s driving record does not change and they decide to go without a vehicle to go green or because of a financial hardship, their premiums should not skyrocket,” Chaparro said.
Assemblywoman Chaparro wishes to thank former Hoboken Councilman Tim Occhipinti for working with her and originally bringing this issue to her attention. The Senate version of the bill, which is pending introduction, is sponsored by 33rd District Senator Brian Stack.
ABS donation funds new maritime engineering laboratory complex
On Nov. 17, the Stevens Institute of Technology had a dedication ceremony for it new ABS Engineering Center.
“The ABS Engineering Center will provide Stevens with modern facilities for design, testing, collaboration and innovation,” said Stevens Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Christophe Pierre.
The main floor and atrium of the Center’s three floors will incorporate five laboratory spaces: A Systems Integration Laboratory utilized by Stevens senior project teams, a Fluids Laboratory utilized by civil, environmental and naval engineering students to study core fluid dynamics, a Structural and Building Materials Laboratory, including a furnace and test cell for testing specimens under load at temperatures up to 1,600 C° , a Field Autonomy Laboratory that will enable research on underwater robots, and a Naval Engineering Laboratory, where maritime industry challenges such as energy efficiency, short sea shipping, the development of autonomous vehicles and the design and control of small ships will be studied and addressed.
The second floor will feature 13 faculty offices and workstations for up to 16 graduate students and the third floor will include a 28-seat space for seminars, project presentations, and meeting spaces.
ABS Chairman, President, and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki addressed attendees at the dedication ceremony.
“As a global technology leader, ABS is committed to supporting research that enhances safety in the marine and offshore environments,” said Wiernicki.
Hoboken resident looking for mystery jogger who crashed wedding proposal
Uptown resident Brian Schwartz proposed to his girlfriend on Nov 13. at Pier 13 with family and friends waiting nearby to surprise her.
During the proposal, a jogger ran through the staged area, becoming a “highlight of the day.”
The couple does not know who she is but are hoping to locate her and invite her to the wedding. Schwartz wrote about the experience on Buzzfeed.com, and you can read it bygoing to https://www.buzzfeed.com/brians91/the-oblivious-runner-en08
If you have information please contact Schwartz at brian.schwartz@hotmail.com.