There's been an uptick in pedestrian vs. car crashes in Milwaukee and the group 'MilWALKee Walks' is working to highlight the importance of pedestrian safety, as well as honor 12 Milwaukee pedestrians that were killed this year.
On Thursday, MilWALKee Walks stood at 29th and State Streets with a memorial to Londynn E. Anderson who was killed attempting to cross at that location.
Caressa Givens works tirelessly putting up signs that tell drivers to reduce their speed and yield to pedestrians. Givens even points a speed radar gun at fast drivers to emphasize the point that they need to slow down.
"There are people who are driving far too recklessly in the city," said Givens.
The initiative is called #RememberPedestrians. For 12 days, MilWALKee Walks members honor the 12 people fatally struck by erecting a sign with their names on it. Additionally, members will walk passers-by across the street and talk to drivers about speeding.
"I feel pretty good about being out here and communicating with people," said Givens.
The Governors Highway Safety Association and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds more than 5,000 pedestrians were killed across the country in 2015. That means, on average, every 7.5 minutes one or more pedestrian is injured in traffic.
Marie Parker owns a bed and breakfast near 29th and State. She says she's lived in the area since 1989. Parker knows first hand about reckless drivers.
"A speeder flew out in front of us. We had to dive to the other side of the street," said Parker. "Swerved towards us."
Givens says she's hopeful for the future. There are two more #RememberPedestrians dates left:
Friday at S. 13th St. and Cleveland Ave. and Saturday at 19th St. and W. Atkinson Ave. More information is at MilWALKeeWalks Facebook page.
