Thirteen Dead, Still No Action: How Many More?

Council Member Shahana Hanif condemned the NYPD for arresting Adam White, a lawyer for crash victims, after he cleared a defaced plate. Police charged White, ignored the driver’s violations, and called the driver a victim. Hanif demanded accountability for police misconduct.

On November 16, 2022, Brooklyn Council Member Shahana Hanif issued a statement criticizing the NYPD’s 78th Precinct after officers arrested attorney Adam White. White, known for representing victims of traffic violence, was charged with criminal mischief for removing plastic that hid a car’s license plate—a tactic often used to dodge cameras and tolls. The NYPD did not ticket the driver, who had a record of violations, and instead labeled him the 'victim.' Hanif called the arrest 'outrageous' and 'police misconduct,' demanding accountability from precinct leadership. She said, 'It is shocking how the NYPD continues to prioritize unlawful and reckless car owners while harassing cyclists and pedestrians at every opportunity.' Legal experts, including White’s attorney Gideon Oliver, questioned the charges and called for dismissal. The case highlights systemic failures in traffic enforcement and police discretion, with vulnerable road users left exposed.

• Brooklyn Council Member Blasts Cops for Arresting Famed Bike Lawyer For Fixing Defaced Plate, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-16

DOT began outreach for a Grand Army Plaza overhaul. The plan aims to carve out more space for people on foot and bike. Council Members Hudson and Hanif pushed for fixes. Advocates want traffic cut and safety raised. Designs come in 2024.

On November 13, 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOT) kicked off public outreach for a major redesign of Grand Army Plaza. The effort, not yet a formal bill, marks the start of a multiyear process with capital funding. The DOT presented plans to 'create more space for pedestrians and cyclists,' and floated ideas to connect Prospect Park’s northern entrance to the Soldiers Memorial Arch. Council Members Crystal Hudson and Shahana Hanif previously called for DOT to address 'signal timing and unprotected bike lanes.' Community advocates and residents voiced strong support for closing parts of the plaza to traffic and improving infrastructure for people walking and biking. The process includes public meetings, surveys, and a traffic study, with preliminary designs expected in 2024. While some residents worry about car access, the push is clear: less traffic, more safety for the vulnerable.

• DOT Kicks Off Outreach on New Grand Army Plaza Fix: ‘Dream Big’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-13

A Honda SUV crashed into a stopped Kia on Union Street. Metal twisted. A 70-year-old woman in the front seat suffered a broken back and amputation. Four others hurt. Both drivers looked away. Distraction ruled the moment. Pain followed.

A Honda SUV struck a stopped Kia sedan near 620 Union Street in Brooklyn. The impact left a 70-year-old woman in the front passenger seat with a broken back and amputation. Three other passengers and both drivers were injured, all reporting pain or back injuries. According to the police report, 'Both drivers had looked away.' The listed contributing factor for both vehicles was 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV was moving straight ahead, while the sedan was stopped in traffic. The crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus, as distraction led directly to severe harm for vulnerable passengers. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581818 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

DOT moves to ban cars from Grand Army Plaza. Council members demand urgent fixes. Pedestrians and cyclists face danger daily. Crashes, injuries, broken sidewalks, and chaos define the space. The city promises swift action. Streets for people, not cars.

On November 10, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation proposed making Grand Army Plaza car-free and connecting it to Open Streets on Vanderbilt and Underhill Avenues. The matter, described as 'NYC DOT proposal for car-free Grand Army Plaza and related street safety improvements,' is not a formal council bill but has drawn council attention. Council Member Shahana Hanif (District 39) and Crystal Hudson pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to address the plaza’s 'endless traffic, poor sidewalk conditions, broken benches, and overflowing trash cans.' Hanif and Hudson demanded immediate safety upgrades after recent crashes injured pedestrians and cyclists. DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton said, 'We want to take it to the next level... more consistent and better designed public spaces.' The agency is seeking public feedback and plans to draft detailed designs within the year. The proposal aims to end the status quo of danger and disrepair, prioritizing vulnerable road users over cars.

• Exclusive: DOT eyes Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza as NYC's next car-free space, gothamist.com, Published 2022-11-10

A sedan tore down Saint Marks Place. It hit parked cars. Metal screamed. The driver, a 22-year-old man, crushed his arm. Passengers were shaken. The street was left scarred, the echo of speed and steel hanging in the air.

A sedan, moving at unsafe speed, crashed into a line of parked vehicles on Saint Marks Place near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A speeding sedan plowed through parked cars. Metal crumpled. A 22-year-old man, unbelted, crushed his arm.' The crash left the driver with serious crush injuries to his arm. Several passengers, including adults and children, were also involved but did not report specific injuries. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The driver was not using any safety equipment. No evidence in the report blames the victims or notes any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man, 38, died behind the wheel of a parked Lexus on Hicks Street. Head wound. No seatbelt. Only a child restraint. The car silent. The street colder. No other injuries reported. No contributing factors listed by police.

A 38-year-old man was found dead in the driver’s seat of a parked 2022 Lexus sedan near 509 Hicks Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man suffered a head wound and was not wearing a seatbelt; only a child restraint was present. The report states, 'A man, 38, slumped dead behind the wheel of a parked 2022 Lexus. Head wound. No seatbelt. Only a child restraint.' No other people were injured. Police did not list any contributing factors or driver errors in the data. The vehicle’s left front bumper was damaged, but the cause is not specified. No helmet or signal issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 25-year-old cyclist was struck and killed by a diesel truck on Parkside Avenue. The truck rolled on, untouched. Her bike lay twisted. The morning air held no sound. The crash left the cyclist dead and the truck undamaged.

A 25-year-old woman riding a bike east on Parkside Avenue was struck and killed by a diesel tractor truck. According to the police report, 'a 25-year-old cyclist struck by a diesel truck while passing. She was thrown, crushed, and killed. Her bike lay twisted. The truck rolled on, untouched.' The crash listed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal injuries to her entire body. The truck sustained no damage. The report does not list any contributing factors for the cyclist beyond the driver errors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572613 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan crashed into a parked diesel truck on Third Avenue. Metal buckled. The driver’s back broke. He died at the scene. Alcohol played a role. The street was quiet, but the impact was final.

A sedan traveling south on Third Avenue in Brooklyn struck the rear of a parked diesel truck near 383rd Street. According to the police report, the sedan 'slammed into the back' of the truck. Three people were involved. The 35-year-old male occupant suffered fatal back injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other occupants, a 31-year-old man and a female registrant, were listed with unspecified injuries. The police report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor for all involved. The sedan sustained heavy front-end damage. The parked truck was hit at the left rear bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores the lethal risk when alcohol and driving mix.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4567647 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two bikes slammed together on Prospect Park Southwest. A young rider hit the ground. Blood spilled from his leg. Skin torn. He stared at the sky, awake. The street fell silent. Two children and another man were also involved. No helmets. No mercy.

Two bicycles collided head-on at Prospect Park Southwest and Greenwood Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 23-year-old male rider was partially ejected and suffered severe lacerations to his leg, remaining conscious at the scene. Two children, ages 2 and 4, and a 35-year-old man were also involved, all listed as bicyclists. The report notes, 'Two bikes collided head-on. A 23-year-old rider hit the ground hard. No helmet. Blood ran from his leg. Skin peeled back.' No contributing factors or driver errors were specified in the data. Helmets were not used, as noted after the absence of driver errors. The crash left one rider badly hurt while others escaped with unspecified injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561432 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse backs a dedicated bus lane on Flatbush Avenue. She joins Mayor Adams and others, pushing for faster, safer rides. Riders wait too long. Streets choke with traffic. The city moves to act, despite driver backlash and parking fears.

On August 9, 2022, Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse (District 46) endorsed the Flatbush Avenue dedicated bus lane proposal. The plan, a priority for the Adams administration and MTA, aims to speed up the B41 bus from Downtown Brooklyn to Marine Park. Narcisse and Councilmember Rita Joseph joined Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference, riding the B41 and speaking with riders. Narcisse said, “People are suffering waiting 30 minutes, 40 minutes, it’s unfair to the riders.” She stressed that better bus service could cut down on illegal dollar vans. The Department of Transportation, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, has started community engagement. Some community boards worry about lost parking, but Rodriguez called their role advisory, saying, “we want to hear what the riders want.” Narcisse acknowledged driver backlash but insisted on the need for faster, reliable transit.

• Flatbush Avenue bus lane proposal gains support of key electeds, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-08-09

A 61-year-old man rode his e-bike up Caton Avenue. He hit a parked Kia. Metal bent. The bike stopped. He died there. Another cyclist, 42, was hurt. The street stayed silent. The crash left pain and questions.

A 61-year-old man riding an e-bike on Caton Avenue near East 4th Street in Brooklyn struck the side of a parked Kia SUV. According to the police report, 'A 61-year-old man on an e-bike struck the side of a parked Kia. Metal folded. The bike stopped. He did not rise.' The e-bike rider suffered fatal injuries. Another bicyclist, age 42, was partially ejected and sustained a neck injury but survived. The Kia was parked at the time of the crash. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the police data. The report notes that neither cyclist was using safety equipment, but no helmet or signaling issues were cited as contributing factors. The crash left one dead and another injured, with the street holding its breath.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543764 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council members push to ban non-essential helicopter flights from city-owned helipads. The bill targets tourist and luxury flights, sparing only essential services. Noise, pollution, and safety risks drive the move. The city’s airspace faces a reckoning.

On June 27, 2022, Council Member Lincoln Restler and colleagues introduced a bill to ban all non-essential helicopter flights from the Wall Street and East 34th Street city-owned helipads. The legislation, discussed in the City Council, exempts NYPD, news, and hospital helicopters. The bill’s matter title: 'Stop the Chop.' Council Members Amanda Farias, Gale Brewer, Shahana Hanif, Alexa Avilés, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Christopher Marte, and Carlina Rivera joined as sponsors. Hanif stated, 'Our airspace is not for sale to the highest bidder and should only be available to essential needs of our city.' The bill responds to mounting complaints—nearly 60,000 since 2010—over helicopter noise and pollution. The proposal aims to cut thousands of flights, reduce greenhouse gases, and restore peace to city parks and neighborhoods.

• OPINION: Here’s How the Council Will ‘Stop the Chop’ in New York, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-27

A sedan turned left on 5th Street. A cyclist rode straight. Steel struck flesh. The man flew, face-first to the pavement. Blood pooled. He was 58. He stayed conscious. The driver failed to yield. Distraction played its part.

A crash at the corner of 5th Street and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn left a 58-year-old cyclist injured. According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The impact ejected the cyclist, causing severe bleeding from the face. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan's driver was licensed and uninjured. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. No helmet use or signaling is cited as a factor. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to yield and lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537823 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Fourth Street in Park Slope will close to cars this summer. Kids and neighbors get space. Teachers lose parking. Council Member Hanif backs the plaza. Advocates fought for years. The city acts only during school recess. Permanent change remains uncertain.

Council Member Shahana Hanif supports the plan to close Fourth Street, west of Fifth Avenue, to cars from July 8 through Labor Day weekend. The move follows a decade-long push to reclaim the block, used as both a play space and a parking lot for placard-holding teachers. The matter, described as 'a fully reimagined pedestrian plaza,' has backing from Hanif, who said, 'It’s going be a plaza. It’ll be closed off and won’t have parking spaces.' The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID and Old Stone House plan to apply for permanent plaza status with the Department of Transportation. Advocates like Kathy Park Price cite placard abuse and safety risks, calling for a permanent pedestrian space to expand the park and protect the community. The DOT has not committed to a permanent plan. For now, the street will be car-free only during summer recess.

• UH, THANKS: City Will Turn a Dead-End Block into a Plaza … But Only When Placarded Teachers Go on Recess, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-14

NYPD and Parks officers stopped e-bike riders in Prospect Park. Parents, workers, and people with disabilities faced threats and exclusion. Council Members Hanif, Joseph, and Hudson demand change. The ban blocks safe routes, targets the vulnerable, and deepens inequality.

This policy debate, highlighted in a June 3, 2022 Streetsblog NYC opinion, centers on the Parks Department's ban on e-assist bikes in Prospect Park. Council Members Shahana Hanif, Rita Joseph, and Crystal Hudson, whose districts border or include the park, call for a new policy to allow e-assist bikes. The article states, 'This policy is discriminatory and ableist, and harmful to climate goals.' Hanif notes e-bikes enabled her to ride after hip surgery. The ban forces riders onto dangerous streets, blocks access for families and people with limited mobility, and invites selective NYPD enforcement. The council members urge Mayor Adams to lift the ban, arguing it closes the park to those who need safe, accessible routes most.

• OPINION: Reversing the Parks Dept. Ban on E-Bikes is a Matter of Equity, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-03

Council Members Hudson and Hanif call on DOT to fix Grand Army Plaza. They want protected bike lanes, speed bumps, and better signals. Community groups back them. The plaza stays dangerous for walkers and cyclists. DOT promises a review. Action is overdue.

On May 11, 2022, Council Members Crystal Hudson and Shahana Hanif sent a letter to the Department of Transportation urging immediate safety upgrades at Grand Army Plaza. The matter, titled 'Brooklyn Pols: Fix Grand Army Plaza and Make it Safer,' calls for more protected bike lanes, speed bumps, improved traffic signals, and completion of stalled capital work. The councilmembers cited ongoing crashes, injuries, and community complaints about dangerous conditions. They requested a comprehensive traffic study and highlighted support from over 2,000 neighbors and local advocacy groups. DOT responded that it would review the letter and meet with the community. The push comes as past improvements have failed to end the threat to pedestrians and cyclists. Hudson and Hanif’s action keeps pressure on the city to fix a deadly crossroads.

• Brooklyn Pols: Fix Grand Army Plaza and Make it Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-11

A taxi with bad brakes hit an e-scooter on Union Street. The rider flew off, bleeding hard from his arm. He lay on the pavement, conscious, staring at the sky. The crash left the street stained and silent. System failed him.

A taxi collided with an eastbound e-scooter on Union Street near Clinton in Brooklyn. The 40-year-old e-scooter rider was ejected and suffered severe bleeding from his arm. According to the police report, 'A taxi struck an eastbound e-scooter. The rider, 40, flew off. No helmet. Blood streamed from his arm. The brakes had failed.' The report lists 'Brakes Defective' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. No helmet was worn by the e-scooter rider, but this is noted only after the mechanical failure. Three taxi occupants were involved but reported no injuries. The crash highlights the danger when vehicle systems fail on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4524747 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Brooklyn lawmakers tell developers: no more parking mandates. They want special permits to drop parking. They say parking rules drive up costs, block affordable homes, and fuel car use. The message is clear—build for people, not for cars.

On March 1, 2022, Brooklyn politicians announced a push to eliminate mandatory parking minimums for new developments. The action is not a formal bill, but a policy stance led by Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Lincoln Restler. The group, including Council Members Jennifer Gutierrez, Crystal Hudson, Chi Osse, Sandy Nurse, Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Rita Joseph, and Farah Louis, demands that developers seeking zoning changes first apply for a special permit to waive parking requirements. Restler said, 'Developers need our consent and approval, and we are telling them, plainly, that they have to file for a special permit to end parking requirements.' Reynoso added, 'You don't need to do that anymore.' Avilés called parking mandates a barrier to affordable housing and climate action. The group argues that parking minimums raise construction costs, encourage car use, and block green space. Restler warned he is 'far more likely to vote no' on projects without a parking waiver. Advocates and policy experts back the move, and related state legislation is pending.

• Brooklyn Pols Tell Developers to Eliminate Parking or Else, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-01

A Brooklyn man got death threats after reporting illegal parking to 311. City Hall condemned the harassment but offered no reforms. Police stayed silent. Local officials demanded answers. The city’s response left dangerous gaps for those who report reckless driving.

On February 10, 2022, City Hall responded to threats against Tony Melone, a Park Slope resident who filed a 311 complaint about illegal parking. The incident, covered by Streetsblog, exposed how reporting traffic violations can put New Yorkers at risk. City Hall called the harassment 'extremely disturbing' and promised to review a Department of Investigation probe, but did not commit to changing NYPD’s handling of 311 complaints. Assembly Member Robert Carroll condemned the threats and demanded accountability if city staff leaked Melone’s information. Council Member Shahana Hanif echoed concern, urging that harassment not silence those reporting dangerous driving. The NYPD did not comment. The city’s lack of action leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as illegal parking blocks sightlines, sidewalks, and bike lanes, endangering lives.

• City Hall Condemns Death Threats to 311 User Who Filed Illegal Parking Complaint to NYPD, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-10

Councilmember Shahana Hanif calls out deadly Brooklyn streets. She names Arcellie Muschamp, killed in a crosswalk by a truck. Hanif demands street designs that slow drivers. She rejects punishment as the main fix. She wants action to stop traffic deaths.

On January 18, 2022, Councilmember Shahana Hanif issued a statement on pedestrian safety following the death of Arcellie Muschamp in Brooklyn. The matter, titled 'Crossing the Street Should Not Be a Matter of Life and Death,' highlights the failure of current street design. Hanif, representing the district where Muschamp died, pledges to fight for safer streets. She calls for preventive design—daylighting, mid-block chicanes, leading pedestrian intervals, pedestrian-only crossings, and safety islands. Hanif opposes relying on punitive enforcement, saying, 'Planning streets for people means designs that force drivers to drive slowly and carefully.' She urges the Council and new administration to act, stating, 'Our streets are dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists because they are planned for cars, not people.' Hanif’s stance centers vulnerable road users and demands systemic change.

• New Brooklyn Council Member: Crossing the Street Should Not Be a Matter of Life and Death, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-18