Greenpoint Bleeds—Demand Safe Streets Now

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-05-21

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

A southbound SUV struck a westbound sedan at McGuinness Boulevard. The SUV’s left front bumper hit the sedan’s right front. The sedan driver, a 64-year-old man, suffered elbow and arm abrasions. Police cite traffic control disregard as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:39 on McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn. A 2022 GMC SUV traveling south collided with a 2015 Hyundai sedan traveling west. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the sedan's right front bumper. The sedan driver, a 64-year-old male occupant, was injured with abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious and was not ejected. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721260 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV hit sedan’s right doors in Brooklyn. Woman, 29, fractured and dislocated her shoulder. Both drivers went straight. Police cite failure to yield. Metal twisted. One driver hurt. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, a crash took place at 8:35 AM on Franklin Street, Brooklyn. A 2017 Toyota SUV traveling west struck the right side doors of a 2022 Honda sedan. The sedan’s 29-year-old female driver suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm. Both vehicles were moving straight before the impact. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council bill orders DOT to factor traffic enforcement agents into city safety plans. The move targets deadly streets. Sponsors demand action, not words. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait for safer crossings.

Int 0842-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 18, 2024, the bill amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to consider where traffic enforcement agents are placed when drafting the interagency roadway safety plan. The bill summary states: 'require DOT to specifically consider placement of traffic enforcement agents in certain areas.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Brannan (primary), Louis, Restler, and the Queens Borough President sponsor the measure. The bill responds to Local Law 12 of 2011, which already mandates a five-year safety plan. Now, the council demands DOT put enforcement on the map, aiming to cut injuries and deaths.

• File Int 0842-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2024-04-15

Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

E-bike driver slammed left front, hurt knee and leg. Distraction and speed listed. Rider stayed conscious. Brooklyn street, sharp impact, bruises marked the toll.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male e-bike driver was injured in a crash at 651 Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The e-bike, traveling north and going straight, struck with its left front bumper, damaging the left front quarter panel. The rider suffered contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot, but was not ejected and remained conscious. No victim actions were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger of distraction and unsafe speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715963 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making an improper turn struck a motorscooter driver in Brooklyn. The rider, a 25-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash caused front-end damage to the sedan but no damage to the scooter. The rider wore a helmet.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:20 AM near 969 Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan was making a U-turn when it collided with a motorscooter. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The motorscooter driver, a 25-year-old male occupant, was injured with contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The scooter showed no damage, and the rider was not ejected. The rider was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but no other contributing factors were listed. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end. This crash highlights the dangers posed by improper turning maneuvers by vehicle drivers in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714223 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

A 32-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury on Norman Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash occurred at night, with the rider wearing a helmet. Driver inexperience was cited as a contributing factor in the police report.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east on Norman Avenue in Brooklyn struck an object or surface causing the 32-year-old male driver to be ejected. The rider, who was wearing a helmet, sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise and was conscious after the crash. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the collision. The motorcycle's center front end was damaged, indicating a frontal impact. The driver was licensed in New Jersey and was going straight ahead prior to the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The injury severity was rated level 3, confirming significant trauma. The report does not attribute fault to any victim behavior but highlights the systemic danger posed by driver inexperience on motorcycles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 19-year-old moped driver slammed into a car on McGuinness Boulevard. He flew from the seat. His hip and leg shattered. Police cite alcohol and speed. The street turned brutal in a blink.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male moped driver was ejected after colliding with a car at 12:55 PM on McGuinness Boulevard at Clay Street in Brooklyn. The moped struck the left front quarter panel of the eastbound car. The driver suffered a fractured and dislocated hip and upper leg, classified as severe. Police list alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The moped driver wore no safety equipment. The report highlights driver errors—alcohol impairment and excessive speed—as primary causes. No contributing victim behaviors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708297 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council aims to ban moving billboards. These rolling ads distract drivers. The bill locks in an existing rule. Streets need fewer distractions. Safety for walkers and riders comes first.

Bill Int 0541-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 7, 2024, by Council Members Bottcher (primary), Brannan, Brewer, and Restler, it seeks to ban moving billboards. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to banning moving billboards.' These billboards are already illegal under city rules. The bill would codify 34 RCNY 4-12(j), making the ban law. Bottcher and co-sponsors want to cut visual clutter and driver distraction. The bill was referred to committee on March 7, 2024.

• File Int 0541-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council bill demands DOT fix NYCHA sidewalks first. Seniors come before all. Broken walks trip, injure, kill. Law forces city to show its work. No more hiding behind red tape.

Bill Int 0504-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 7, 2024. It orders the DOT to prioritize sidewalk repairs at NYCHA sites, with senior housing first. The bill summary reads: 'establishing priority for sidewalk repairs at developments operated by the New York city housing authority.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Shaun Abreu, Shahana K. Hanif, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Lincoln Restler, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and Farah N. Louis. The law also requires public reporting of repairs and timelines. Sidewalk neglect endangers NYCHA residents—this bill aims to force action and transparency.

• File Int 0504-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council aims to keep sightseeing buses out of bus lanes during rush. The bill targets morning and evening peaks. Streets clear for city buses, not tourists. Pedestrians and cyclists get a break from double-deckers.

Bill Int 0543-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on March 7, 2024. The measure, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to restricting the use of bus lanes by sight-seeing buses,' blocks sightseeing buses from bus lanes on weekdays, 7–10 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. Sponsors Lincoln Restler (District 33, primary) and Justin L. Brannan (District 47, co-sponsor) push to keep bus lanes clear for transit. No sightseeing bus stops allowed in bus lanes during these hours. The bill responds to congestion and crowding, giving vulnerable road users more space and fewer blind spots.

• File Int 0543-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07