Who Dies Next? Streets Demand Action, Not Excuses

Council bill pushes DOT to open streets wider and longer on busy holidays. Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July Fourth, Labor Day, Halloween—cars barred, people free. Community groups get a say. Streets shift from danger to refuge, if the city acts.

Int 0270-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic. The bill’s summary reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. The bill directs DOT to seek community input for more activation days. Applications for these special activations follow the same review as regular Open Streets. The measure aims to give pedestrians and cyclists more space and time, cutting car risk when crowds surge.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill Int 0255-2024 demands NYPD track every time officers use cars as weapons. No more hiding behind vague reports. The city must count each incident. Data will show the toll. Vulnerable New Yorkers deserve the truth.

Int 0255-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to use of force incidents involving police department use of a motor vehicle," forces the NYPD to add 'use of a motor vehicle to gain control of a subject' as a specific reporting category in quarterly and annual use of force reports. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Hudson, Won, Hanif, Bottcher, Brewer, Avilés, Abreu, Ossé, Krishnan, Williams, Cabán, Nurse, Sanchez, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill targets a gap: current NYPD reports do not name motor vehicles as a means of force. This change brings police violence by car into the light, exposing patterns that endanger pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0255-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants NYPD to show where crossing guards stand. The bill orders a map online. Streets are dangerous. Kids cross in chaos. The public will see the gaps. The city must face the truth in plain sight.

Int 0447-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reporting on crossing guard deployment," demands the NYPD post an online map showing where crossing guards are stationed. Council Member Kamillah Hanks leads as primary sponsor, joined by Stevens, Schulman, Menin, Salaam, Brewer, Marte, and others, including a request from the Bronx Borough President. The bill is for 'informational purposes only,' but the impact is clear: families and advocates will finally see where the city leaves children exposed. The measure forces transparency. It makes the city’s priorities visible block by block.

• File Int 0447-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill orders speed humps on streets by parks over one acre. DOT must install unless safety or guidelines say no. Seventeen council members back the move. The bill sits in committee. Streets by parks may soon slow cars.

Int 0262-2024 was introduced to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on February 28, 2024. The bill states: "requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre." Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by seventeen co-sponsors including Joseph, Feliz, Louis, Marte, and others. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps on qualifying streets unless the commissioner finds it unsafe or inconsistent with DOT guidelines. The bill remains in committee. If passed, it would take effect 180 days after becoming law. The measure aims to slow traffic near parks, where walkers and children cross.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill targets private car parking perks. No more city-issued permits for private vehicles without elected plates. Existing permits get revoked. Exemptions for disabled drivers and union contracts. Sponsors push to cut special treatment and reclaim curb space.

Int 0411-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, the bill reads: 'prohibiting the issuance of private vehicle parking permits and revoking such existing permits.' Council Members Julie Won (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, Gale Brewer, Christopher Marte, Erik Bottcher, Alexa Avilés, and the Brooklyn Borough President back the measure. They seek to stop city agencies from issuing parking permits to private vehicles unless the car belongs to an elected official. Permits for people with disabilities and those required by collective bargaining agreements are not affected. The bill repeals several administrative code sections tied to private parking privileges. Action aims to strip away special access, reduce curb abuse, and put public space back in public hands.

• File Int 0411-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council members push for a hard look at last mile delivery hubs. Trucks swarm neighborhoods. Streets clog. Collisions rise. The bill demands data. It targets the city’s growing freight problem. Vulnerable New Yorkers walk these streets. The study could expose the toll.

Int 0113-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it orders the Department of Transportation to study how last mile delivery facilities batter local streets and communities. The bill summary reads: 'estimating the amount of delivery vehicles arriving at or departing from each facility, and the impact that additional vehicle traffic has on parking, street congestion, vehicle collisions and other traffic incidents.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Alexa Avilés, Shekar Krishnan, Amanda Farías, and over twenty others. The bill was referred to committee on the day it was introduced. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the bill’s focus is clear: count the trucks, count the crashes, and show the cost to people on foot and bike.

• File Int 0113-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants DOT to study how street design can keep commercial trucks out of residential neighborhoods. The bill demands a report. Streets packed with trucks endanger walkers and cyclists. The committee holds the bill. No action yet. Pressure mounts.

Int 0114-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, the bill orders the Department of Transportation to report on using street design to limit or reduce commercial vehicle use in residential areas. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law in relation to requiring the department of transportation to study street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez leads as primary sponsor, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The bill was referred to committee on the day it was introduced. Streets crowded with trucks put vulnerable road users at risk. The bill seeks data and solutions, but action is pending.

• File Int 0114-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council moves to study charging stations for e-bike delivery workers. The bill forms a task force to weigh cost, location, and fire risk. Delivery riders face battery dangers daily. The city stalls on safe infrastructure. The committee holds the bill.

Int 0194-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law in relation to establishing a task force to study the feasibility of building charging stations for bicycles with electric assist to be used by food delivery workers,' calls for a task force to examine where and how to build charging stations for e-bike couriers. Council Members Restler (primary sponsor), Gutiérrez, Avilés, Won, Cabán, Marte, Hanif, Nurse, Hudson, Brewer, and Farías back the measure. The task force must review costs, possible third-party funding, station locations, and fire risks from lithium-ion batteries. The bill aims to protect delivery workers, who face daily hazards from unsafe charging and lack of city support. No votes have been held. The bill remains in committee.

• File Int 0194-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council calls on maritime importers to shift last-mile deliveries from trucks to boats. Streets choke on diesel rigs. Noise, fumes, danger follow. Waterways offer relief. The resolution sits in committee. Sponsors demand action. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait.

Res 0053-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The resolution urges 'top maritime importers to New York City ports to commit to making the City’s streets greener by reducing truck traffic and using marine vessels for last mile deliveries throughout the boroughs.' Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez leads as primary sponsor, joined by Avilés, Hudson, Salaam, Cabán, Ayala, Restler, Hanif, Won, Brooks-Powers, Nurse, Public Advocate Williams, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The measure responds to freight growth and truck congestion, which fuel pollution and endanger street users. The Council’s call aims to clear trucks from city streets, cut emissions, and make roads safer for everyone outside a car.

• File Res 0053-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council calls for state action on lower speed limits, crash victims’ rights, and safer street design. The resolution pushes Albany to let New York City set its own speed limits and demands stronger protections for people hurt or killed by cars.

Resolution 0090-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it urges the State Legislature and Governor to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law'), A.1901 (Crash Victims Bill of Rights), and the full SAFE Streets Act package. The matter title reads: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422, also known as ‘Sammy’s Law,’ in relation to allowing New York city to establish a lower speed limit, and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights, as well as the other bills of the package known as the SAFE Streets Act.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif leads as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Restler, Ossé, Avilés, Sanchez, Krishnan, Rivera, Cabán, Brewer, Abreu, Marte, Brannan, Schulman, Won, Feliz, Bottcher, Nurse, Hudson, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The SAFE Streets Act targets reckless driving, demands safer street design, and gives crash victims more rights. The resolution’s focus is clear: fewer deaths, more justice, safer streets for all.

• File Res 0090-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants 500 solar-lit crosswalks. The bill sits in committee. Streets stay dark. Pedestrians wait. The city promises a study. Lawmakers push for light, but action lags. Danger remains while the council debates.

Int 0301-2024, introduced February 28, 2024, sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, status: Laid Over in Committee. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks,' orders the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years—a total of 500. The department must also study their impact compared to unlit signs. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, Won, Narcisse, Hanks, Hanif, Bottcher, Brewer, Hudson, Schulman, and Avilés. The bill was laid over by committee on June 25, 2024. No safety analyst note was provided. Vulnerable road users remain exposed while the city delays action.

• File Int 0301-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council Member Alexa Avilés demands cruise ships stop burning diesel at city docks. Ships must connect to shore power or lose access. Red Hook and Hell’s Kitchen choke on fumes and traffic. Locals see no benefit, only pollution, gridlock, and danger.

Intro. 4 of 2024 was introduced by Council Members Alexa Avilés (District 38, Brooklyn) and Erik Bottcher (Manhattan) on February 20, 2024. The bill, heard in committee, would require cruise ships at city terminals to connect to electric shore power or be barred from docking. The matter summary states: 'Fossil fuel-emitting cruise ships would have to walk the plank and abandon New York City ports unless they plug into clean shore power for energy.' Avilés, at the hearing, said, 'The Red Hook community has not seen economic benefit from this or any other cruise deal—we have seen a negative benefit, and that is traffic, unwieldy, businesses closing because workers can’t get there, honking, car crashes.' The bill also demands traffic mitigation plans for cruise departures. Residents and advocates say the city’s cruise terminals bring only pollution, congestion, and risk to vulnerable road users. The bill aims to force action where voluntary promises have failed.

• Pols want diesel-powered cruise ships, like those idling in Red Hook, to connect to shore power or leave, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-02-20

Red Hook drowns in gridlock as cruise ships flood streets with cars. City spent $350,000, but danger lingers. Pedestrians and cyclists dodge traffic. Council Member Avilés demands answers. Local businesses suffer. City eyes more spending, but safety stays out of reach.

On February 16, 2024, the City Council held an oversight hearing on cruise ship traffic and pollution in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Council Member Alexa Avilés led the charge, criticizing the city’s $350,000 attempt to fix traffic from ships like the MSC Meraviglia. The matter summary notes, 'the neighborhood continues to experience severe gridlock.' Avilés questioned the use of taxpayer funds to subsidize cruise lines and called for accountability. She introduced legislation requiring ships to use shore power and submit traffic mitigation plans. Local business leader Susan Povich described 'hours of gridlock' and 'unsafe walking and biking conditions.' Despite city efforts—more traffic agents, ferry service—streets remain perilous for vulnerable road users. The city considers more spending, but the threat to pedestrians and cyclists persists.

• City Spends $350K on Failed Bid to Fix Traffic From Red Hook’s Cruise Ships, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-16

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants within half a mile of schools. Fines set at $175. Civilians can report violations. DOT must act on complaints. Council aims to clear paths for people, not cars.

Int 0080-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after its introduction on February 8, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints to the department of transportation for hazardous obstruction violations," creates a new civil penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 2,640 feet of a school. The penalty is $175 per violation. The Department of Transportation must launch a civilian reporting program. If DOT prosecutes a case using civilian evidence, the complainant gets 25% of the proceeds. Council Member Carlina Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Joseph, Menin, Nurse, Hudson, Brannan, Farías, Brewer, Salaam, Hanif, Avilés, Won, Bottcher, Krishnan, Gutiérrez, Marte, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill aims to keep streets clear for vulnerable road users, especially near schools.

• File Int 0080-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

A Dodge truck turned left on Bay Ridge Avenue. The driver, distracted, struck a 52-year-old woman head-on. She died beneath the streetlight. The crash left blood on the asphalt and silence in the street.

According to the police report, a Dodge truck making a left turn on Bay Ridge Avenue near 13th Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 52-year-old woman standing in the roadway. The impact was direct, hitting her with the center front end of the vehicle. The woman suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver, licensed in New York, was operating a 2019 Dodge truck and was the sole occupant. The police narrative states, 'The driver was distracted.' No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions are cited in the report. The fatal collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695644, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV reversed on 76th Street. Its bumper struck an 83-year-old woman standing in the road. She fell. She died there. The driver did not see her. The street was empty. No crosswalk nearby. Silence followed.

An 83-year-old woman was killed near 1326 76th Street in Brooklyn when a 2007 Honda SUV backed west and struck her legs. According to the police report, 'The bumper struck her legs. She collapsed, silent. The driver did not see.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The woman suffered fatal injuries to her lower body and died at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The SUV sustained no damage. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver inattention, especially when reversing in areas without marked crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687579, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Red Hook streets drown in trucks. One in five vehicles is a heavy hauler. Warehouses multiply. Council Member Alexa Avilés passed a bill to force a truck route redesign. The city drags its feet. Cyclists and walkers face danger. The truckpocalypse rolls on.

City Council Member Alexa Avilés led a bill last year requiring New York City to redesign Red Hook’s truck routes and submit a report by September 2024. The bill responds to a surge in last-mile warehouses, with trucks and vans now making up nearly 21 percent of Van Brunt Street traffic. The matter summary states, 'requiring the city to redesign its truck route and submit a report by September 2024.' Avilés sponsored the bill; three more bills for further study remain stalled. Locals call the influx a 'truckpocalypse.' Residents and advocates warn of rising pollution and danger for people on foot and bike. The city’s slow response leaves vulnerable road users exposed as warehouse traffic grows unchecked.

• Red Hook’s Traffic is One-Fifth Trucks, Vans As More Warehouses Arrive, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-12

A 46-year-old man crossed Fort Hamilton Parkway. An SUV struck him in the crosswalk. His skull was crushed. Two cars rolled on. The man died where he fell. Brooklyn pavement kept his silence.

A 46-year-old pedestrian was killed on Fort Hamilton Parkway near 37th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man was crossing against the signal when a southbound SUV struck him, crushing his skull. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors. The man suffered fatal head injuries. Two vehicles were involved, both traveling south. The police report states, 'A southbound SUV crushed his skull beneath its frame. Two cars kept moving. Only the man stopped. Forever.' The data highlights driver inattention as a key factor in this deadly crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678904, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Jeep hit a parked Toyota on 39th Street. The Toyota lurched forward. The driver, a 47-year-old man, was found unconscious and crushed. Illness struck before the crash. Sirens wailed, but help came too late.

A Jeep traveling west on 39th Street near 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn struck a parked Toyota. The impact forced the Toyota forward, severely injuring its 47-year-old driver. According to the police report, 'Illness took hold before impact.' The driver was found unconscious, suffering crush injuries to his entire body. The police list 'Illnes' as the contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors are noted in the report. The Toyota was parked at the time of the collision. The report does not mention any actions by the injured driver that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676732, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A tractor-trailer turned onto Bush Street and crushed a parked Kia. The driver, trapped and bleeding, stayed conscious inside the wreck. The truck rolled on. Metal twisted. Blood pooled. The street bore the mark.

A tractor-trailer making a right turn onto Bush Street in Brooklyn struck a parked Kia sedan. According to the police report, the Kia was demolished beneath the trailer. The 36-year-old driver of the Kia was trapped inside, suffering severe lacerations to his arm but remained conscious. The truck continued forward after the impact, leaving its trailer damaged. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were specifically cited in the data. The incident highlights the danger heavy trucks pose to stationary vehicles and their occupants on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676177, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15