No More Blood on Staten Island’s Streets

David Carr racks up 12 speed-camera tickets, a red light, and a bus lane fine. He shrugs. Streets stay dangerous. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On June 26, 2025, Streetsblog NYC exposed Council Member David Carr's record: 12 speed-camera tickets, one red light ticket, and one bus lane infraction since February 2, 2023. The article asks, 'But does he care? No.' Carr, representing District 50, opposes speed cameras, red light cameras, and bus lane enforcement. When confronted, he shrugged and drove off. Safety analysts warn: when elected officials ignore repeated violations, they undermine safety laws and embolden reckless drivers. This keeps streets perilous for pedestrians and cyclists.

• HEAR IT! Staten Island Pol Loves to Speed — Then Shrugs Off His Recklessness, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-26

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

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

A motorcycle struck a sedan turning left on Watchogue Road at Crystal Avenue. The rider was ejected and injured. The sedan’s rear quarter took the hit. Both drivers were licensed. The crash left one with internal injuries. Streets stayed dangerous.

A crash on Watchogue Road at Crystal Avenue involved a sedan making a left turn and a motorcycle heading straight. According to the police report, the motorcycle hit the sedan’s right rear quarter panel. The motorcycle driver, a 24-year-old man, was ejected and suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old woman, was not reported injured. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No helmet or signal use is cited as a factor. The impact highlights the risk faced by those on motorcycles when cars turn across their path. Systemic dangers remain on Staten Island streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822448, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

Two SUVs met on Purdy Avenue. Metal struck metal. Two women, one a driver, one a passenger, were hurt. One bled from her arm. The other took a blow to the abdomen. Police cite failure to yield. Shock followed. The street stayed silent.

Two sport utility vehicles collided on Purdy Avenue at Mann Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, the crash involved a 2016 Kia SUV and a 2020 Ford SUV, both traveling east. Two women were injured: a 38-year-old driver suffered minor bleeding to her arm, and a 37-year-old rear passenger sustained internal injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. Both experienced shock. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Safety equipment was used by those injured. The crash left two hurt and a street marked by impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822285, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

Two sedans crashed on Clove Road. Both drivers distracted. One woman, 36, suffered neck injury and shock. Three others involved. Metal twisted. Impact hard. Streets of Staten Island, danger always near.

Two sedans collided on Clove Road near Howard Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive or distracted at the time of the crash. A 36-year-old woman driving one sedan suffered a neck injury and was in shock. Three others, including a 75-year-old man driving the other car, were involved but their injuries were unspecified. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The impact damaged the left front bumper of one sedan and the right front bumper of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, even for a moment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817246, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

Two sedans crashed at Victory Boulevard and Mann Avenue. Metal twisted. One driver, a 21-year-old woman, suffered arm injuries. Police cite traffic control ignored and failure to yield. The street fell silent. The system failed again.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at the intersection of Victory Boulevard and Mann Avenue. The crash left a 21-year-old female driver injured, with abrasions to her arm. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact struck the center front end of one sedan and the left front bumper of the other. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors. The crash underscores the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814066, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

Two sedans crashed on Slosson Avenue. One driver, a woman, suffered arm injuries and shock. Police cite failure to yield. An eight-year-old girl rode as a passenger. The street saw metal and flesh meet. The system failed to protect its own.

On Slosson Avenue near Drake Avenue in Staten Island, two sedans collided. According to the police report, both vehicles were driven by women. One driver, age 59, was injured in the arm and experienced shock. An eight-year-old girl was a passenger in one of the cars. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the main contributing factor. One sedan was making a left turn, the other was heading straight. The impact struck the front ends of both cars. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report details no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to yield, leaving vulnerable people hurt inside the steel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813044, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

Bullets ripped through glass. Officers bled. A driver fled, crashed, and was caught. Two guns found. No shots fired back. Broken glass sent two to the hospital. The street stayed silent after chaos. Charges still wait.

According to amny (published May 12, 2025), two Staten Island police officers were injured during a traffic stop on Port Richmond Avenue. Officers tried to pull over a Nissan SUV for tinted windows. The driver did not stop, then 'allegedly opened fire on the officers, sending bullets hurtling into their vehicle and shards of glass cascading into them.' The officers did not return fire. The driver crashed into a parked car and was arrested at the scene. Two guns were recovered from the vehicle. Both officers were hospitalized for injuries from broken glass. Charges against the driver are pending as the investigation continues. The incident highlights the dangers of traffic stops and the risks posed by armed drivers.

• Gunfire, Crash Injure Officers In Stop, amny, Published 2025-05-12

A sedan hit a 25-year-old man in the crosswalk at Forest Avenue and Decker Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. He suffered a leg injury. Police cite failure to yield. The street turned dangerous in a moment.

A sedan traveling south on Forest Avenue struck a 25-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection with Decker Avenue. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. He sustained a contusion to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The driver was making a left turn at the time of impact. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor for the pedestrian. The collision highlights the risk faced by those crossing at intersections, even when following traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812160, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

Cameras will watch for speeding on city bridges and tunnels. Fines start at $50. Lawmakers push the plan to protect workers and travelers. The program runs to 2031. Enforcement aims to slow drivers and cut risk on vital routes.

Patch reported on May 8, 2025, that New York lawmakers approved an expansion of a speed camera pilot program for MTA bridges and tunnels. The plan allows cameras on seven bridges and two tunnels, ticketing drivers who exceed speed limits. Fines start at $50 for a first offense, rising to $75 and $100 for repeat violations within 18 months. Governor Hochul's office called the program 'one more way the governor is working to improve safety on our roads and bridges for workers and travelers alike.' MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan said, 'We want to make sure that our maintenance workers and contractors are safe.' The program, part of the $254 billion state budget, will be reviewed again in 2031. The move targets driver speed, a key factor in crash severity, and signals a shift toward automated enforcement on major city crossings.

• Speed Cameras Coming To MTA Crossings, Patch, Published 2025-05-08

A sedan hit two children in the crosswalk on Clove Road. Both were crossing with the signal. The car struck them head-on while turning left. The children suffered injuries. The driver failed to yield. The street stayed open. Danger lingered.

Two children, ages 10 and 13, were injured when a sedan struck them at the intersection of Clove Road and Forest Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, both children were pedestrians crossing with the signal when the sedan, traveling west and making a left turn, hit them with its center front end. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The 10-year-old boy suffered abrasions to his lower leg and foot. The 13-year-old girl sustained injuries of unknown severity. The driver’s failure to yield is cited repeatedly in the report. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupant. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810397, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

City reopened Silver Lake Park Road to cars, stripping Staten Islanders of a safe path. Politicians claimed it would deter crime. Residents and advocates pushed back, citing lost space and crash risk. Lawsuit looms. The road’s safety for walkers and cyclists is gone.

On April 24, 2025, the city reopened Silver Lake Park Road in Staten Island to motor vehicles. The move followed an alleged attempted rape and was justified by District Attorney Mike McMahon and Borough President Vito Fossella as a crime deterrent. The Alliance to Save Silver Lake Park and residents opposed the decision, calling it a 'baseless theory of crime prevention' and highlighting the loss of a protected bike lane and accessible space for people with disabilities. Council Member Kamillah Hanks, who first supported the return of cars, later suggested a weekend car-free compromise, acknowledging the community’s need for open space. Advocates pointed to Staten Island’s high crash rates and demanded better lighting and police, not more cars. The process was rushed, with no data backing safety claims. A lawsuit is now under consideration.

• Staten Islanders May Sue Over ‘Risky’ Rushed Return of Cars in Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-01

Metal crumpled on Watchogue Road as two SUVs collided. A woman behind the wheel and a toddler in the back seat were left in shock, nursing pain in their arms and necks. Sirens echoed as daylight faded.

Two station wagons/SUVs collided on Watchogue Road near Willow Road E. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west when one struck the other from behind. A 43-year-old female driver suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries, while a 2-year-old male passenger in a child restraint sustained neck injuries and whiplash. Both were reported in shock. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other contributing factors or equipment issues were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807605, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

Evening traffic on Victory Boulevard broke with a sharp crash. Metal scraped and glass scattered as two sedans collided. A 53-year-old driver clutched his neck, stunned and in pain, as emergency crews arrived under the fading Staten Island light.

According to the police report, two sedans collided near 1366 Victory Blvd in Staten Island. The driver of one sedan, a 53-year-old man, suffered a neck injury and reported pain and shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The impact struck the left front bumper of both vehicles. One of the sedans was parked at the time of the crash. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807010, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

Staten Island leaders push to reopen Silver Lake Park Road to cars. Locals and advocates resist. They say cars threaten walkers, cyclists, and children. Officials claim safety, but critics call it driver convenience. The park’s car-free peace hangs in the balance.

On April 18, 2025, Staten Island politicians, including District Attorney McMahon, Borough President Vito Fossella, and Council Member Kamillah Hanks, urged the city to reopen a narrow road in Silver Lake Park to cars. The road has been car-free since the pandemic, serving as a haven for walkers and cyclists. The Parks Department, once supportive of a car-free park, agreed to the reopening after political pressure. The matter centers on whether car access improves safety after a recent attempted rape. Advocates, including Transportation Alternatives, argue, 'Allowing cars in Silver Lake is not about public safety; it's about driver convenience.' Locals warn that reintroducing cars endangers children and vulnerable users, undermining the park’s safety and purpose. A petition and rally oppose the move, highlighting that traffic violence poses a greater threat than rare park crimes.

• Staten Islanders Fight To Keep Park Car-free, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-18

A box truck reversed into Leony Salcedo-Chevalier by the loading dock. He died at the hospital. The driver stayed. No charges filed. The crash left a family without a father. Police are investigating. The warehouse kept running.

NY Daily News reported on April 10, 2025, that Leony Salcedo-Chevalier, 34, was struck and killed by a reversing box truck at the JFK8-Amazon Fulfillment Center in Staten Island. The incident happened late Wednesday night as Salcedo-Chevalier stood by the loading dock. Both he and the driver worked for a freight contractor, not Amazon. The driver, 40, remained at the scene. No criminal charges were filed at the time of reporting. An Amazon spokesperson called it a 'horrible tragedy' and said the company was cooperating with police. The article quotes a coworker: 'He was 34 years old. He had two daughters. He was killed on the job.' The crash highlights the dangers faced by workers in busy warehouse loading zones, where large vehicles maneuver in tight spaces.

• Worker Killed By Reversing Truck At Warehouse, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-10

Senator Lanza pushes S 7085. The bill lets drivers escape speed camera tickets if paperwork is missing or unclear. No mention of victims. No fix for deadly speeding. The system bends for drivers, not for the dead.

Senate Bill S 7085 was introduced on April 1, 2025, by Senator Andrew J. Lanza of District 24. The bill sits at the sponsorship stage. It reads: 'Permits a violation captured by a speed camera to be dismissed upon the application of the person alleged to be liable for such violation if any information that is required to be inserted in the notice of liability is omitted from such notice of liability, misdescribed or illegible.' Lanza is the primary sponsor. The bill weakens speed camera enforcement by letting technicalities erase violations. There is no assessment of impact on pedestrians or cyclists. The bill’s focus is on drivers, not on the safety of those most at risk.

• File S 7085, Open States, Published 2025-04-01

A 19-year-old pedestrian was injured at an intersection while crossing with the signal. The sedan, making a left turn, struck him with its right front bumper. Limited view and slippery pavement contributed to the crash, causing upper arm injuries.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on Forest Ave, crossing with the signal. The crash occurred at 9:45 PM when a sedan traveling north was making a left turn and struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained an upper arm injury and remained conscious. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s impaired ability to see the pedestrian. Additionally, the pavement was slippery, further complicating the situation. The driver was licensed and operating a 2023 Honda sedan. The collision highlights the dangers posed by limited driver visibility and adverse road conditions during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802869, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28

A westbound SUV struck the right rear quarter panel of a tow truck making a right turn. The SUV driver, a 40-year-old woman, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited improper lane usage as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:15 on N Gannon Ave involving a 2021 SUV traveling westbound and a 2021 tow truck making a right turn. The SUV struck the right rear quarter panel of the tow truck with its center front end, damaging the left front bumper. The SUV driver, a 40-year-old licensed female from New Jersey, was injured with whiplash and injuries to her entire body but was not ejected and remained conscious. The tow truck driver was a licensed male from New York. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error on the SUV's part. No victim behaviors or pedestrian involvement were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802469, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-28