'Street Smart NJ' Demonstration Will Be Held Long Beach Township On Wednesday

State and local officials will hold a demonstration of the HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk pedestrian safety signal on Long Beach Island this morning, in an effort to cut down on the amount of pedestrian injuries and fatalities

The crosswalk was installed by Ocean County in Surf City last year. The HAWK campaign is returning to Long Beach Island and expanding to other communities along the Jersey Shore during the month of July, according to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.

The event will be held at 11 a.m. on June 28 in the parking lot in front of 2417-2421 Long Beach Boulevard in Surf City, near the intersection of North 25th Street.

The goal of the campaign is to reduce pedestrian fatalities and educate both pedestrians and motorists. New Jersey's pedestrian fatality rate is nearly double the national average.

Speakers will include Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly and Joel Feldman, the father of a 21-year-old woman killed by a distracted driver who started a foundation to combat the growing danger.