District 48: Streets of Blood, Leaders of Excuses

Council Member Inna Vernikov forced DOT to pause bike lanes in Sheepshead Bay. Years of planning stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians left exposed. Community support ignored. Streets stay hostile. Safety delayed. Danger remains.

On May 21, 2025, Council Member Inna Vernikov intervened to halt the NYC Department of Transportation's plan for painted bike lanes in Southern Brooklyn's Community Board 14. The project, four years in the making, aimed to address high crash rates and poor bike network coverage. Vernikov announced, 'Happy to say as a result of our conversations and advocacy, @NYC_DOT is PAUSING implementation of bike lanes.' Despite near-unanimous community board support and DOT's safety pledges, Vernikov opposed the project, calling it a 'woke agenda.' Only a portion of the lanes will proceed. Safety analysts warn: 'Opposition to even basic bike infrastructure like painted lanes discourages mode shift, reduces safety in numbers, and maintains street conditions that are inequitable and dangerous for vulnerable road users.' Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

• Proudly Anti-Safety: Brooklyn Pol Boasts of Getting DOT To ‘Pause’ Long Promised Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-21

Brooklyn’s Community Board 15 killed a Sheepshead Bay rezoning, citing rampant illegal parking—even by police. The board demanded more parking, ignoring transit and non-drivers. Council Member Vernikov opposed the project. More parking means more cars, more danger for people on foot and bike.

On February 18, 2025, Brooklyn Community Board 15 rejected a rezoning proposal at 2510 Coney Island Ave. The board’s vote came after the developer slashed housing units and promised a one-to-one parking ratio. The official matter focused on 'excessive illegal parking—including by the local police precinct.' CB15 Chair Theresa Scavo said, 'If we allow this rezoning every property owner on that block will continue to do the same thing, causing more backups and more traffic.' Council Member Inna Vernikov, through her legislative director, voiced strong opposition, prioritizing parking over new housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized the parking mandate, warning it 'traps neighborhoods in car dependent development patterns.' Advocates argued the board ignored transit options and the needs of non-drivers. The City Council is expected to reject the project, blocking new homes and locking in car dominance.

• Too Much Illegal Parking Prompts Community Board to Reject New Housing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-18

Council bill Int 1173-2025 would force all city cyclists to wear helmets or face a $50 fine. The measure, now in committee, targets riders not already covered by helmet laws. The city’s car carnage continues. Lawmakers focus on headgear, not street danger.

Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on January 23, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear,' would require every cyclist not already mandated by other laws to wear a helmet. Violators face civil penalties up to $50. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The bill does not address the root causes of cyclist injuries: reckless drivers, speeding cars, and deadly streets. Instead, it shifts responsibility onto those most at risk, leaving the city’s dangerous roads unchanged.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Five days. Five attacks. Blood on the subway rails. Cops, National Guard, Guardian Angels—none stopped the violence. Council members blast failed safety plans. Riders pay the price. City Hall promises change. Riders wait. Danger rides the rails.

On January 2, 2025, Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (District 48) joined other city officials responding to a spike in subway violence. The event, covered by nypost.com, details five consecutive days of stabbings, slashings, and a fatal arson, despite increased NYPD, National Guard, and Guardian Angels patrols. The matter summary reads: 'NYC subways have experienced five consecutive days of violent attacks, including stabbings, slashings, and a fatal arson, despite increased patrols.' Council members Joann Ariola, Robert Holden, and Joe Borelli criticized current safety measures and leadership, calling for stronger action. Mayor Eric Adams backed more police and mental health interventions, while Governor Hochul's National Guard deployment drew fire. City Hall pledged to work with Albany on the Supportive Interventions Act. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NYC subways have seen attacks for 5 days in a row — despite cops, National Guard and even the Guardian Angels on patrol, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-02

A box truck turned right on Brighton Beach Avenue. Its bumper struck a young woman crossing. Blood pooled on the pavement. She stayed conscious, leg torn open. The truck stood silent, metal clean. The street bore the wound.

According to the police report, a box truck was making a right turn at Brighton Beach Avenue and Brighton 7th Street when its right front bumper struck a 27-year-old woman crossing the intersection. The report notes 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her knee and lower leg, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood on the pavement and the truck coming to a stop with no visible damage. The police report also states the pedestrian was 'crossing against the light,' but the primary cited cause remains driver inattention. The collision highlights the lethal consequences when large vehicles and vulnerable road users meet at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780524, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Jeep’s front end crumpled against a boy on an e-scooter. Blood ran from his head. He wore a helmet. He was half-thrown, silent, conscious. The crash left the street marked by violence and the boy’s refusal to cry.

A Jeep SUV struck a 14-year-old boy riding an e-scooter at Avenue S and East 9th Street in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The collision left the boy with severe bleeding from his head and partially ejected from his scooter. The report states the boy was conscious but silent after the impact. The SUV’s front end was crumpled from the force of the crash. Police data lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no further detail on driver behavior or errors. The boy wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but this detail is mentioned only after the absence of any cited driver error. The violence of the impact and the injuries sustained underscore the dangers faced by young micromobility users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762827, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Metal crumpled on Ocean Avenue. A 46-year-old man, seatbelt tight, took the impact at his neck. Pain stayed. He stayed conscious. Two sedans, one unmoving, one not. The street held the violence.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at Ocean Avenue and Avenue T in Brooklyn. One sedan, a 2017 Toyota, was 'stopped in traffic' when it was struck in the 'center back end.' The report states a 46-year-old male driver, belted in, suffered crush injuries to his neck but did not lose consciousness. The narrative describes 'metal crushed' and notes the victim 'did not lose pain.' No contributing factors or driver errors are listed in the report, and there is no mention of victim behavior as a factor. The impact and injury resulted from a moving vehicle hitting a stationary one, underscoring the persistent danger faced by road users even when stopped.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760559, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a law letting pedestrians cross streets anywhere, at any time. Jaywalking is now legal. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks or against signals. The law shifts blame from walkers to drivers. Streets belong to people again.

Int 0346-2024, now Local Law 98 of 2024, was enacted by the City Council on October 26, 2024, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way," lets pedestrians cross roadways at any point, even against traffic signals. It erases penalties for so-called jaywalking. Sponsors include Tiffany Cabán (primary), Lincoln Restler, Crystal Hudson, Shahana K. Hanif, Julie Won, Mercedes Narcisse, Darlene Mealy, Erik D. Bottcher, and Farah N. Louis. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law requires the Department of Transportation to educate all road users about these new rights. By ending jaywalking enforcement, the city removes a tool often used to blame victims and target the vulnerable. The law marks a shift: streets are for people, not just cars.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A sedan turned right on Neptune Avenue, its bumper striking a young woman crossing with the signal. She fell, crushed and unconscious, left sprawled on the street. The driver failed to yield. The intersection became a site of violence and pain.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn at Neptune Avenue and East 12th Street struck a 19-year-old woman who was crossing at the intersection with the pedestrian signal. The impact from the vehicle's right front bumper left her with crush injuries to her entire body and rendered her unconscious. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, underscoring the driver's responsibility in the collision. The victim's action—'Crossing With Signal'—is documented in the report, confirming she had the legal right to cross at that moment. No other contributing factors are listed for the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing danger faced by people walking at intersections when drivers disregard traffic laws.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739573, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel met steel on East 13th Street. An e-bike rider crashed into a parked SUV, tearing his leg open. Blood pooled on the pavement. He stayed awake, clutching his knee, breath ragged in the Brooklyn dusk.

A man riding an e-bike northbound on East 13th Street near Avenue P collided with the rear of a parked SUV, according to the police report. The impact left the rider with severe lacerations to his knee and lower leg. The report describes 'blood on the pavement' and notes the rider remained conscious, holding his knee. The e-bike struck the SUV's right rear quarter panel, damaging the center front end of the bike and the SUV's rear bumper. Police list the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors by the parked SUV are cited in the report. The narrative notes the e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, but helmet use is not listed as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the violence of steel against steel and the vulnerability of those outside cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736332, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 70-year-old man stepped onto Kings Highway. An eastbound SUV hit him head-on. He died from head and internal wounds. The bumper bore the mark where he fell. The street claimed another life. The driver was licensed.

A 70-year-old pedestrian was killed on Kings Highway when an eastbound SUV struck him head-on, according to the police report. The incident occurred as the man stepped into the street, not at an intersection and without a crossing signal, as detailed in the report: 'A 70-year-old man stepped into the street without a signal. An eastbound SUV struck him head-on. He died from head and internal wounds. The driver held a license. The bumper bore the mark where he fell.' The vehicle involved was a 2023 Acura SUV, traveling straight ahead with two occupants. The point of impact was the center front end, and the right front bumper showed damage. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factors for both the driver and the pedestrian, and does not cite any specific driver error. The pedestrian’s action—crossing without a signal or crosswalk—is noted after the absence of identified driver errors. The report does not mention any additional contributing factors or behaviors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728391, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A parked BMW broke loose on Ocean Avenue. It struck a sedan, then slammed into a Subaru. Inside, a 77-year-old man was crushed and killed. The runaway car turned a quiet street into a deadly trap.

According to the police report, a parked BMW on Ocean Avenue became a 'Driverless/Runaway Vehicle.' The report states the BMW 'broke free,' first striking a sedan and then slamming into a Subaru. Inside the Subaru, a 77-year-old man was 'crushed.' He suffered fatal head injuries and was 'partially ejected' from his seat. The police report notes he was 'unbelted.' The incident unfolded at 16:24, transforming a line of parked and stopped vehicles into a scene of sudden violence. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Driverless/Runaway Vehicle,' highlighting the systemic danger posed when a parked car is not properly secured or malfunctions. No contributing factors are attributed to the victim. The report details the impact sequence and the fatal consequences for the elderly driver, underscoring the lethal risk when control of a vehicle is lost.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720212, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 74-year-old man was found dead inside a parked BMW SUV on East 18th Street. The left rear of the vehicle was crushed, glass shattered, seatbelt unused. Afternoon sun glinted on the wreckage. No movement, only silence remained.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old man was discovered lifeless in a parked 2023 BMW SUV on East 18th Street near Avenue U in Brooklyn. The report describes the left rear of the vehicle as 'crushed,' with 'shattered glass' and 'no sound.' The man was not wearing a seatbelt. The crash occurred in the afternoon, at 16:03. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'unspecified' and does not identify any specific driver errors or actions by other vehicles. The victim's behavior—seatbelt nonuse—is noted in the report, but no evidence is provided that this contributed to the fatality. The circumstances surrounding the impact and the source of the collision remain unaddressed in the police report, leaving the systemic dangers of parked-vehicle crashes and the vulnerability of occupants in the urban landscape starkly evident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722200, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A BMW slammed into a young man turning left on his e-bike. The impact hurled him to the pavement. His head struck, his life ended. The street bore witness to the violence. One turn, one crash, one life erased.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a BMW SUV struck him head-on on Neptune Avenue near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision occurred as the e-bike rider was making a left turn, while the BMW was traveling straight ahead. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor in the crash. The impact ejected the cyclist, causing fatal head injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The police report notes the victim was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The violence of the crash and the fatal outcome underscore the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield or turn improperly. The report makes no mention of any contributing actions by the cyclist beyond his direction of travel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718424, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Kia SUV slammed into a 47-year-old cyclist near Avenue O. The man flew from his bike, head striking pavement. Blood pooled. The SUV’s bumper cracked. He died there, the street claiming another life.

A fatal collision occurred near 1608 Avenue O in Brooklyn when a westbound Kia SUV struck a 47-year-old man riding his bike eastbound, according to the police report. The narrative states, 'A westbound Kia struck him head-on. He flew from the bike. No helmet. Head trauma. Blood on the pavement. The SUV’s bumper cracked. He died where he fell.' The police report lists the contributing factors for both parties as 'Unspecified.' The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered fatal head injuries. The SUV’s point of impact was the left front bumper, consistent with a direct, forceful collision. The report does not cite any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor before listing helmet use. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers and vulnerable road users collide on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709603, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill demands DOT keep curbs high after street work. Low curbs mean water floods sidewalks. Pedestrians wade through puddles. Property owners get fined. Ariola leads, Holden, Paladino, Vernikov back her. Committee reviews. No action yet. Streets stay risky.

Int 0603-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since March 7, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that the department of transportation maintain curb heights following street construction,' targets a simple failure: after street work, curbs often vanish, water pools, and property owners get fined for city mistakes. Council Member Joann Ariola sponsors, joined by Holden, Paladino, and Vernikov. The bill orders DOT to restore curbs to proper height after any street, sidewalk, or gutter work. The committee has not voted. The bill aims to stop flooding and fines, but leaves the daily hazard for walkers and wheelchair users unaddressed until passed.

• File Int 0603-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council bill Int 0542-2024 forces DOT to act fast. Traffic study answers must come within 60 days when council members or boards ask for new signals or signs. No more endless waits. The clock starts. Streets can’t wait.

Int 0542-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, and is now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring that traffic study determinations be issued no later than 60 days from the date a traffic control device is requested by a city council member or community board.” Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Brooks-Powers, and Vernikov. Their bill demands the Department of Transportation deliver traffic study decisions within 60 days of a request. Right now, there’s no set timeline. The bill aims to end delays, forcing the city to move faster when lives are at stake. The measure would take effect 120 days after enactment.

• File Int 0542-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council bill Int 0221-2024 shifts sidewalk repair duty for city tree damage from homeowners to the Parks Department. Homeowners must report damage. City crews must fix broken, buckled, or hazardous walks caused by city trees. Private owners are off the hook.

Int 0221-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the parks department to repair damage caused by trees owned by the city of New York.' Council Members James F. Gennaro (primary sponsor), Robert F. Holden, Joann Ariola, Vickie Paladino, and Inna Vernikov back the measure. Their bill requires the Parks Department to repair sidewalks damaged by city-owned trees, removing the burden from homeowners of one-, two-, or three-family homes. Owners must notify the city if tree roots break the walk. If the damage is not tree-related, owners still have ninety days to fix it. The bill aims to clarify responsibility and ensure city action on hazards caused by its own trees.

• File Int 0221-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill Int 0143-2024 would pay up to $1,000 for tips that help catch hit-and-run drivers who injure or kill. The bill targets the silence that lets drivers vanish. It aims to bring justice for victims left bleeding in the street.

Int 0143-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill seeks to amend city law to "establish a reward for individuals who provide information leading to the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person who seriously injures or kills another individual in a hit-and-run accident." Council Member Rita C. Joseph leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Narcisse, Vernikov, Louis, Bottcher, Hudson, Gennaro, and Williams. The bill authorizes the mayor, on the police commissioner's recommendation, to offer up to $1,000 for actionable tips. Law enforcement and city or state employees are excluded. The bill responds to the grim fact that many hit-and-runs go unsolved, leaving victims and families without answers. It aims to break the code of silence and help bring reckless drivers to justice.

• File Int 0143-2024, 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