Williamsburg Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall, Children Pay

Jul 22 - A man drowned off Rockaway Beach. He is the fifth this summer. Council Member Justin Brannan and others call for more lifeguards, longer hours, and more pools. The city refuses. Drones and patrols replace real protection. Swimmers keep dying.

On July 22, 2024, after a fifth drowning at a New York City beach, Council Member Justin Brannan (District 47) joined other officials to demand urgent action. The group called for expanded lifeguard hours, more staff, and new public pools. The Adams administration rejected these measures, relying instead on NYPD drones and Parks Enforcement Patrols. The matter, described as 'Body found in fifth apparent drowning off NYC beach as pols call for more lifeguard hours,' highlights the deadly gap in city safety policy. Brannan, along with Council Member Shekar Krishnan and Borough Presidents Donovan Richards and Antonio Reynoso, urged the city to extend the beach season, increase lifeguard shifts, and offer universal swimming lessons. The city has only 870 lifeguards, far short of the 1,500 needed. Vulnerable swimmers remain at risk while officials debate. The toll mounts.

• Body found in fifth apparent drowning off NYC beach as pols call for more lifeguard hours: ‘Going to get worse’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-22

Jul 17 - Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso calls on Mayor Adams to cap parking in new developments. He wants fewer spaces, not just fewer mandates. Reynoso pushes for maximums in transit-rich areas. He says car culture drives danger. He demands bold action.

On July 17, 2024, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso issued a policy recommendation urging Mayor Adams to strengthen the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity rezoning proposal. Reynoso wants the city to set strict maximums on parking spaces in new developments, especially near transit. The matter summary states, 'Our recommendation is to remove as much parking as possible, but [if a] developer feels an obligation to put in a certain amount of parking, there should be a maximum allowable in transit-rich areas.' Reynoso supports eliminating parking mandates but says it is not enough. He points to developers building excess parking even near subways and calls for rules like Manhattan Core’s. Reynoso’s push aims to curb car dependency and promote safer, transit-oriented neighborhoods. He stresses the need to educate the public and break the grip of car culture.

• Brooklyn BP Wants Mayor Adams To Do More To Reduce Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-17

Jul 14 - A SUV struck the rear of a sedan on South 3 Street in Brooklyn. The impact injured a 47-year-old male passenger in the sedan, causing back pain and whiplash. The crash resulted from the SUV following too closely and reacting late to traffic.

According to the police report, at 1:10 AM on South 3 Street near Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2019 SUV making a right turn rear-ended a 2017 sedan also making a right turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV and the center back end of the sedan. The collision injured a 47-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear passenger seat of the sedan. He suffered back injuries and whiplash, remaining conscious and not ejected. The report cites the SUV driver's errors as 'Following Too Closely' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle,' indicating failure to maintain safe distance and delayed response to traffic conditions. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights driver error in maintaining proper following distance and situational awareness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740360 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 2 - A six-year-old girl was struck by a bike while crossing outside a crosswalk in Brooklyn. She suffered a head contusion and remained conscious. The bike showed no damage, and no driver errors were cited in the police report.

According to the police report, a six-year-old female pedestrian was injured in Brooklyn at South 4 Street around 8:10 p.m. The child was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when a male cyclist traveling east struck her at the center front end of his bike. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The bike showed no damage, and the driver was licensed in New York. The report lists no contributing driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Contributing factors for the pedestrian were unspecified. The collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face when crossing outside designated areas, even without clear driver faults noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739485 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - A 51-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head contusion on the Williamsburg Bridge. The crash occurred just after midnight. Driver inattention and defective pavement contributed to the impact, causing serious injury without vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old female bicyclist riding eastbound on the Williamsburg Bridge was injured and ejected from her bike at 12:04 a.m. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a primary contributing factor. Additionally, 'Pavement Defective' was listed, indicating hazardous road conditions played a role. The bicyclist sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise, with an injury severity level of 3. She was conscious after the crash. The bike showed no damage, and the bicyclist was the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle. The report highlights driver distraction and poor pavement conditions as the systemic dangers leading to this serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737093 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 28 - Pro-safety candidates swept North Brooklyn primaries. Voters backed the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Opponents, funded by Broadway Stages, lost every race. Assemblymember Gallagher called for Mayor Adams to finish the job. The city’s delay keeps the boulevard deadly for walkers and riders.

On June 28, 2024, North Brooklyn’s primary elections became a referendum on the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, a vocal supporter of the lane-reduction plan, defeated challenger Anathea Simpkins, who was backed by anti-redesign group Keep McGuinness Moving. Gallagher secured over 75 percent of the vote, declaring, “North Brooklyn demands Mayor Adams finish the job and make McGuinness safe.” Down-ballot, street safety advocates Luke Ohlson and Jenna Bimbi also won, both endorsed by Make McGuinness Safe. Opponents, including Broadway Stages executives, lost every race. Despite a partial redesign last year, the city has stalled on completing safety improvements. The election results send a clear mandate: voters want action to protect pedestrians and cyclists on McGuinness Boulevard.

• Safety for McGuinness Blvd. Was a Winning Issue for Greenpoint Pols, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-28

Jun 28 - Emily Gallagher crushed her opponent. She stood with Greenpoint. She backed ripping out car lanes and building protected bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard. The street is deadly. Locals cheered. The fight for safer streets just got muscle.

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, representing District 50, won her primary on June 28, 2024. The race centered on the future of McGuinness Boulevard, a street known for danger. Gallagher supported 'removing vehicle lanes and adding protected bike lanes to the historically dangerous McGuinness Boulevard.' Her challenger opposed these changes. Gallagher's victory signals strong support for street redesign. Greenpointers celebrated, seeing her win as a mandate for safety. The measure was not a formal council bill, but Gallagher’s stance and win put political weight behind protected bike lanes and fewer car lanes. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the community’s reaction shows the stakes for vulnerable road users.

• Early Addition: People really want to buy luxury apartments in Gowanus, toxic canal be damned, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-28

Jun 22 - A sedan collided with a bicyclist on Driggs Avenue, injuring the rider's elbow and lower arm. The driver’s improper lane usage caused the crash. The bicyclist remained conscious and sustained abrasions but was not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:08 on Driggs Avenue involving a 2019 Infiniti sedan and a female bicyclist. The sedan, traveling west and going straight ahead, struck the bicyclist who was making a right turn. The point of impact was the sedan’s center front end. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error. The bicyclist, age 34, suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle properly before the crash, but the improper lane usage led to the collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - SUV hit a 23-year-old cyclist on Lorimer Street. The driver failed to yield and ignored traffic controls. The cyclist suffered full-body bruises. Streets turned violent. Metal met flesh. The system failed the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male bicyclist was struck by a Mercedes SUV on Lorimer Street in Brooklyn at 4:30 PM. The cyclist, traveling south, was hit on the left side by the SUV heading west. He suffered contusions to his entire body but remained conscious and was not ejected. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as driver errors. The cyclist wore no safety equipment, but the report attributes the crash to the SUV driver's actions. The SUV's front end and the bike's left side were damaged. The crash left the cyclist injured, underscoring the danger faced by those outside steel shells.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 16 - A Brooklyn bicyclist suffered serious leg injuries after a sedan experienced steering failure and struck her on Union Avenue. The cyclist was partially ejected and sustained contusions, highlighting mechanical failure as a critical factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Union Avenue in Brooklyn at 14:19. A 29-year-old female bicyclist was injured when a 2022 sedan, traveling north and stopped in traffic, suffered a steering failure. The sedan's right rear quarter panel struck the bicyclist's left front bumper area. The bicyclist, also traveling north and slowing or stopping, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Steering Failure' as the primary contributing factor, indicating a mechanical fault in the sedan. No driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless behavior were noted. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The incident underscores the dangers posed by vehicle mechanical failures to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Assembly Members Emily Gallagher and Robert Carroll denounce the governor’s move to halt congestion pricing. They call it a blow to transit, air quality, and city life. Their words cut through: New York’s streets belong to people, not cars.

On June 7, 2024, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher (District 50) joined Robert Carroll in a public statement opposing Governor Hochul’s indefinite delay of congestion pricing. The op-ed, titled 'Two Assembly Pols: Congestion Pricing is Good Policy — Democrats Should Embrace It,' argues the governor’s action is 'effectively a cancellation.' Gallagher and Carroll stress that congestion pricing is essential for funding the MTA and improving public transit. They write, 'Congestion pricing does both and there is no fair or viable alternative way to fund the MTA’s capital needs at this juncture.' The statement warns that the delay will shelve critical projects and worsen conditions for all who rely on safe, accessible streets. Gallagher’s stance is clear: the city’s future depends on prioritizing transit and public space over traffic and private cars.

• Two Assembly Pols: Congestion Pricing is Good Policy — Democrats Should Embrace It, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Two Assembly members slam the governor’s move to halt congestion pricing. They call it a blow to transit, air quality, and city life. They say New York needs fewer cars, more trains, and streets for people, not traffic. The fight continues.

Assembly Members Robert Carroll and Emily Gallagher issued a public statement on June 7, 2024, supporting congestion pricing and condemning Governor Hochul’s indefinite delay of the program. The statement, published as an op-ed, argues, 'the Governor’s announcement to indefinitely delay implementation is effectively a cancellation of congestion pricing.' Carroll and Gallagher, both long-time supporters, stress that congestion pricing is vital for funding the MTA’s capital needs and for reducing traffic and pollution. They warn that the governor’s move will stall key transit projects and harm New Yorkers who rely on public transportation. The members urge Democrats to embrace the policy, stating, 'It is past time for New York to join such cities as London, Milan, Stockholm, and Singapore and implement congestion pricing without further delay.' The statement does not mince words: the city’s future depends on streets for people, not cars.

• Two Assembly Pols: Congestion Pricing is Good Policy — Democrats Should Embrace It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - 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 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Albany lawmakers walked away. The MTA’s billion-dollar gap remains. No deal. No new funding. Subway upgrades, electric buses, and station fixes hang in the balance. Riders, not drivers, face the cost. Streets stay clogged. Danger lingers for all outside a car.

"The governor is pointing an unloaded gun at us and asking to give her the ammunition to shoot us and our constituents." -- Julia Salazar

On June 7, 2024, New York’s legislature ended its session without plugging the MTA’s multi-billion-dollar budget hole. The gap opened when Governor Hochul halted Manhattan’s congestion pricing. The bill, discussed but not passed, would have replaced lost revenue—$1 billion a year meant for transit upgrades. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, mentioned in the debate, said, 'Our conference is reticent to commit a billion dollars annually for the next 15 years without having some understanding in place as to how we're going to deal with congestion as well.' Lawmakers could not agree on new taxes or a legislative IOU. The inaction leaves critical MTA projects—like electric buses and accessible stations—at risk. Vulnerable road users lose most: less transit means more cars, more danger, and fewer safe options for those on foot, bike, or bus.

• NY lawmakers won’t tackle Hochul-created MTA budget hole, for now, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - 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 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06