To the Editor:

Saturday, February 22, was a beautiful sunny day, with the town crowded and people enjoying the sun. It was about 2:30 when I was returning home after doing some errands, and as I approached the corner of Nassau and Witherspoon Streets I noticed a number of people who had the right of way were crossing the street and I noticed how many cars across from me were trying to turn right.

Since the light was red, obviously I had to wait, and when the light turned green with the arrow indicating that I could go, I proceeded to turn onto Witherspoon Street. When the people on the corners also began to move I blew my horn to indicate that I had the right of way — the hand signal was still showing. A man weaved in front of my car, hit it and began to yell at me about how I was supposed to stop. I had been trying to avoid hitting him and cautious about moving out of his way and possibly hitting someone else. I informed him that the hand signal was still showing and that pedestrians were to wait for the walk sign. He continued to stand in front of my car yelling that it did not matter that the light indicated that they were not to go, that I was supposed to stop. While he continued his threats, another man banged on my windshield, then came around to my side to say that they should call the police and take my license. The man next to my door showed me something that looked like a credit card and told me that he is a policeman. If I had thought of it, I would have called the police myself so that they could witness two people who clearly were more show than substance.

I suppose both men were showing their authority by bullying me for almost two minutes. I kept telling them that they were holding up traffic and to let me by, but to no avail. When they finally moved, though continuing to yell at me, I proceeded down Witherspoon Street and, as I always do, stopped at the two intersections — at Spring Street and by the library to give the pedestrians the right of way. I also stopped two extra times for people who were jaywalking across Witherspoon Street.

After I stopped by my church, I went to the Princeton Police station to give a report to the dispatcher who reported my concern. I wish to thank Captain Nicholas K. Sutter who agreed to meet with me. He already had the report that I gave the day of the incident and he took the time to talk with me about the measures that have been taken to assure both pedestrian and drivers’ rights.

I am disheartened at the arrogance of those who come to Princeton thinking that they are above the law. There is a jaywalking law here and there is still respect for others here. Both should be observed and followed!

Shirley A. Satterfield

Quarry Street