Brooklyn Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Demand Safe Streets Now

Jun 23 - Eleven city lawmakers voted no on speed cameras. Their votes keep streets exposed. Pedestrians and cyclists lose a shield. Reckless drivers win. The city’s most basic defense—rejected. The toll will be measured in blood, not words.

On June 13 and June 17, 2025, the New York State Senate and Assembly voted on reauthorizing New York City's school zone speed camera program. The Senate passed the measure 38-21; three city senators—Stephen Chan, Andrew Lanza, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton—voted no. The Assembly passed it 110-31, with nine city lawmakers—Alec Brook-Krasny, Lester Chang, Simcha Eichenstein, Michael Novakhov, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, David Weprin, Kalman Yeger—opposing. The Streetsblog NYC article, 'Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program,' quotes lawmakers dismissing speed cameras as revenue grabs or burdens. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be assessed.' Still, the votes signal disregard for proven tools that protect those outside cars.

• Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 22 - A sedan hit a man crossing 72nd Street. The impact left him unconscious with a head injury. Police cite failure to yield. The street saw blood and silence.

A sedan traveling east on 72nd Street in Brooklyn struck a 42-year-old man crossing outside an intersection. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and was found unconscious, bleeding. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The vehicle’s front end took the impact. No helmet or signal issues are noted. The crash underscores the danger when drivers do not yield to people crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822074 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - SUV reversed. Driver distracted. Pedestrian struck, hip and leg hurt. Whiplash. Brooklyn street, evening. System failed to shield the walker.

A station wagon/SUV backed into a 42-year-old pedestrian on W 3rd Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered hip, leg, and whiplash injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' contributed to the crash. The driver was licensed and wore a lap belt and harness. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was not in the roadway when struck. Systemic danger left the vulnerable exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822078 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - A sedan merged into a cyclist on Kings Highway. The driver failed to yield. The cyclist suffered a bruised leg. Police cite inattention and failure to yield. The street stayed dangerous. The pain stayed real.

A sedan and a bike collided at 341 Kings Highway in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to his lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The sedan was merging when it struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. Both the sedan driver and a passenger were involved, but only the cyclist was reported injured. The report highlights driver errors as key factors in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822090 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A moped slammed its front end on 24th Avenue. Two boys, ages 15 and 14, were hurt. The crash left one with an arm abrasion, the other with a bruised leg. Police cite driver inexperience and unsafe speed.

A moped crashed at 8880 24th Avenue in Brooklyn. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 14, were injured. The 15-year-old driver suffered an abrasion to his arm. The 14-year-old passenger sustained a bruise to his leg. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' contributed to the crash. The moped's center front end took the impact. Neither boy used safety equipment. The report lists no other vehicles or road users involved. Systemic dangers remain for young riders on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822081 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 17 - SUV hit a woman crossing Bay Parkway with the signal. She took a blow to the leg. Police cite failure to yield and following too closely. The street turned dangerous in a flash.

A 30-year-old woman was injured when an SUV struck her as she crossed Bay Parkway at Benson Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the driver, a 19-year-old man, failed to yield right-of-way and followed too closely. The woman suffered a contusion and injury to her lower leg. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The crash highlights the risks pedestrians face even when following traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 17 - Two sedans collided on 65th Street. Rear-end impact. Two passengers hurt. Police cite driver inexperience and distraction. Brooklyn street, metal, bodies, pain.

Two sedans crashed on 65th Street at 17th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the collision involved a rear-end impact, injuring a 44-year-old male and a 30-year-old female passenger. Both suffered internal injuries. Police list 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No safety equipment was reported for the injured. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lack experience and focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822080 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 15 - A black Suburban sped north on Coney Island Avenue. It struck a Volvo, shoving it into a police car. Two officers broke bones. A passenger flew from the Suburban. Blood pooled on the street. Sirens wailed. The driver now faces charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-15), a 24-year-old man drove a Chevrolet Suburban while intoxicated on Coney Island Avenue. He crashed into a Volvo at Avenue U, triggering a chain-reaction that sent the Volvo into a marked NYPD car. The article states, "One police officer suffered a broken pelvis and arm, as well as head trauma, while another suffered a broken hip." A passenger in the Suburban was ejected and critically injured. The driver, Diyorjon Sobirjonov, was charged with DWI, reckless endangerment, and related offenses after refusing a blood-alcohol test. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired driving and the vulnerability of passengers and officers in multi-vehicle collisions.

• Chain-Reaction Crash Injures Cops, Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-15

Jun 14 - A child steps from a bus. A cyclist strikes. Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane will vanish. City listens to complaints, not data. Streets stay dangerous. Cyclists and children caught in the crossfire. Policy shifts, safety left behind.

CBS New York reported on June 14, 2025, that Mayor Eric Adams will remove three blocks of the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn after several crashes, including one involving a child exiting a school bus. The mayor cited 'community concerns' and stated, 'After several incidents—including some involving children...we decided to adjust the current design.' City Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized the move, calling it 'pure politics' and warning, 'He is going to make this area less safe for pedestrians, for cyclists.' The article highlights tension between local complaints and street safety policy. No driver error is cited; the crash involved a cyclist and a child. The decision raises questions about how New York responds to vulnerable road users and whether removing infrastructure addresses underlying dangers.

• Brooklyn Bike Lane Removed After Crashes, CBS New York, Published 2025-06-14

Jun 13 - An SUV hit a 17-year-old on a standing scooter at Bay Parkway and 86th Street. The teen was ejected and hurt. Police cite failure to yield. Two older men and a woman in the SUV were also involved. The street stayed dangerous.

A crash on Bay Parkway at 86th Street in Brooklyn left a 17-year-old male, driving a standing scooter, injured and semiconscious after being ejected. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when the SUV struck the scooter, impacting the right front bumper. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The teen suffered hip and upper leg injuries and complained of pain and nausea. Two men, ages 60, and a 54-year-old woman in the SUV, were also involved but their injuries were unspecified. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - City will rip out a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue. The lane calmed a deadly stretch. Drivers still parked illegally. Children darted into traffic. Now, cyclists and pedestrians face more danger. Policy shifts, safety slips. Streets stay lethal.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 13, 2025, that Mayor Adams will remove the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue, a corridor known for high crash rates. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'before this bike lane from 2018 to 2022 this is the area that had the second largest numbers of pedestrian fatalities and crashes in the city.' The lane faced opposition from some Hasidic leaders, citing children running into the lane from illegally parked cars and buses. Despite tweaks—school bus zones, daylighted corners, no standing areas—drivers kept parking illegally, blocking sightlines and endangering children. The city rarely removes protected lanes, but Adams acted after political pressure. Moving the lane to Classon Avenue, as some demand, would force cyclists onto a chaotic BQE ramp. The decision highlights persistent driver violations and policy gaps that leave vulnerable road users exposed.

• Adams Removes Bedford Avenue Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Senate passes bill forcing delivery apps to insure workers and crash victims. Lawmakers tout support for the injured. But insurance comes after the hit. Speeders keep driving. Danger stays on the street. Prevention takes a back seat.

On June 13, 2025, the New York State Senate passed a bill requiring food delivery apps to provide insurance for delivery workers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The bill, sponsored by Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger, mandates up to $50,000 per person for basic economic loss, regardless of citizenship or employment status. Assembly Member Robert Carroll authored the original Assembly version, stating, 'It is time we require delivery apps to take responsibility for keeping delivery workers and pedestrians safe.' Sen. Andrew Gounardes defended a related speed-limiting bill, but it was weakened. Safety analysts warn: 'Focusing on insurance rather than speed limits shifts responsibility away from prevention and system design, failing to reduce crash risk and potentially discouraging mode shift by not addressing the root causes of danger for pedestrians and cyclists.' Lawmakers back insurance, but leave the streets risky.

• Senate Votes to Require Delivery Apps to Provide Insurance for Workers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13