Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-Hunterdon) said the federal government is "out of touch with everyday Americans" and is "over reaching" into local matters in objecting to the painting of blue lines on roads. Feds have no right to say no to blue lines, N.J. leaders says
TRENTON -- The lines have been drawn -- both literally and figuratively -- in the battle to allow New Jersey municipalities to paint a thin blue line in between yellow lines on their roads to honor law enforcement.
Assemblyman Erik Peterson (R-Hunterdon) introduced resolution AJR 136 Tuesday objecting to a recent U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration ruling that denied New Jersey municipalities the right to paint a thin blue line between a double yellow line in front of police departments, municipal buildings and down main streets.
"It seems that, yet again, the federal government is out of touch with everyday Americans," said Peterson. "A simple show of support for the men and women of law enforcement has needlessly been brought into question."
While Peterson acknowledged that the blue markings are reserved for designating handicap parking spaces in accordance with the international symbol of accessibility parking, he maintained that motorist will not be confused with a thin blue line painted between double yellow lines honoring law enforcement.
"I'm very confident that drivers are not going to mistake the blue lines down the middle of the road for handicapped parking zones," he said. "We need to let the towns decide what is best here."
Should N.J. towns be allowed to paint blue lines?
Peterson's measure disapproves of the determination that the thin blue line between double-yellow center line marking does not comply with Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
The administration has also cited safety concerns in that motorist may misinterpret the meaning of the thin blue lines.
In his resolution, Peterson pointed out that 140 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2016. He stated that negative coverage has damaged morale and compromised the ability of law enforcement to do their job.
Peterson wrote that the administration's ruling is nothing more than the federal government overreaching into a matter of exceptionally important local public concern, and municipalities ought to have the ability to show appreciation and support for local law enforcement without involvement or interference from the federal government.
The resolution will now be referred to an Assembly committee for review.
How did this story get to this point? Below is a full timeline, spanning from the fall to the present and detailing how the thin blue line controversy reached this point.
Oct. 10
NJ Advance Media reported that thin blue lines were being painted between double yellow lines in towns across New Jersey. The blue lines ran down main streets, in parks and even on county roads honoring law enforcement. Often, the blue lines ran past a police station.
Oct. 14
Matthew D. Loper, Somerset County's chief engineer, wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration seeking clarification on the federal guidelines when it comes to painting thin blue lines on roadways.
Dec. 8
The FHA responded to Loper's letter stating that the practice is unsafe and towns should find another way to honor their men and women in blue.
Jan. 8
The administration's ruling is reported by NJ Advance Media, sparking an outpouring of support for law enforcement officers.
Jan. 9
Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano said he plans to reach out to state elected officials to see if legislation can be passed to allow municipalities that wish to honor law enforcement by painting a thin blue line on roadways in their town to do so.
Jan. 10
Peterson introduces a resolution objecting to the administration's ruling that denied towns the right to paint a thin blue line between a double yellow line to recognize law enforcement.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.