Dear Mr. Snyder:

First, let me say I value tremendously the support and resolution you provide Pittsburghers. You make a real difference in people's lives, and as such, you give people like me hope that the average person has a voice in you and may have his concerns heard and acted upon. For all of your hard work and dedication, thank you!

The purpose of my email to you is to share my thoughts as a very concerned motorist, who along with my family and friends, use the Parkway West almost daily. I am deeply concerned that someone is eventually going to be killed before our town, county, or the state does more than just increase State Police patrols along the areas of greatest concern.

My question to you is how may I share my thoughts and concerns with the State Police in a way which is respectful to them for the incredible job they do, but also allows me to verify that everything practically and humanly possible is being done before someone is ultimately killed by these terrifying incidents?

As a reasonably intelligent and compassionate person, I have wondered if any of the following things could either be improved or implemented:

a) A much stronger reward than the current $2,000 reward being offered (however generously) by CrimeStoppers, ie. $10,000 plus

b) Considering that my read of the accounts informed me that many of these incidents are part of a multi-pronged attack within the same narrow window of time, would it possible for something akin to an "Amber Alert" to be broadcast across all AM and FM bands as quickly as possible to alert motorists to:

1) Be safer and more aware of their surroundings in the event there is a second attempt within minutes or an hour

and/or

2) Have local and state law enforcement immediately SHUTDOWN all traffic and access within a specified, pre-designated "Danger Zone" (ie. the reported area from the Fort Pitt tunnels outbound to at least Rosslyn Farms or Carnegie, including prohibiting incoming outgoing access to the Parkway for whatever practical timeframe they need to assess whether any diligent motorists/truckers witnessed and reported via "911" a good description of the culprit and/or his vehicle.

I saw this unusual step implemented on the tragic night of the US Air #427 1994 crash, when the entire Parkway West access was restricted to emergency vehicles ONLY! While impractical at first glance, it's been done (ie. September 1994 and for countless accidents) and may only be necessary for an inconvenient, but tolerable (for the greater welfare) 15 minutes while authorities assess their next move.

I for one would be willing to make this small sacrifice for what might amount to a relatively rare, say once or twice a month at best occurrence (according to local news sources), to save one person’s life!

c) Last but not least, I am hoping law enforcement has either implemented or seriously considered installing strategically situated surveillance cameras (ie, either video or the same 24 hour loop security major department stores install in their local parking lots at area malls).

News accounts of these incidences have revealed that in more than one incident, the criminal or criminals responsible have struck twice within the same small window of time and used parkway access to turn around and strike again! Even a lay observer of the news like myself is aware, that it is not uncommon for critical, life threatening cases like this to be resolved by diligent and experienced law enforcement reviews of such video records, whether it be from an atm, mall parking lot, or local business.

Again, please know I have the utmost respect and appreciation for our dedicated law enforcement. However, I know that like the rest of us, they too are in the end just as human as we are.

My hope is that innocent victims of ruthless and life-threatening crimes, like young Judi Pond and her mother Michelle Miller (and their predecessors), may see something useful arise from their gut-wrenching and tragic circumstances. I hope and pray that that something may prevent others from suffering the same painful and senseless fate.

Thank you for hearing me and my concerns.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey R. Hilberg
City of Pittsburgh resident

P.S.

Lastly, what driver safety advice would the authorities share with us motorists about how to minimize our risk exposure, short of abandoning the parkway altogether? I wondered if, given the effort involved with launching a sizable projectile (after all, it resulted in one of the criminal’s losing control of his vehicle), it would be safer to drive in the outermost lanes of the parkway. However, I wouldn’t know, because I am not aware of any safety advisories that do more than notify the public of the risk they assume in traveling the parkway.

Jeffrey - Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. I agree that this rock throwing problem is extremely serious and must stop. Unfortunately, I'm not sure about the best solution. With such an unpredictable risk, I can only hope that people avoid the Parkway West as much as possible during the early morning hours when these attacks typically occur. I also know that we need more concerned Pittsburgh residents like you to help bring attention to this dangerous threat of rock throwing before it grows any further.