Bushwick’s Blood Price: How Many More Must Die Before We Act?

Brooklyn officials push to evict judges’ cars from Columbus Park. Four designs scrap the parking lot, add green space, playgrounds, and a skatepark. Streets may get bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and bus lanes. No timeline yet. The park could finally belong to people.

On February 28, 2024, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Lincoln Restler, with business leaders, unveiled proposals to remove the judicial parking lot at Columbus Park. The plan, discussed at a community meeting, would replace the lot with public amenities—open greenery, playgrounds, a skatepark, and restrooms. Architects from WXY presented four designs, all eliminating the judges’ parking. The proposal also calls for safer streets: protected bike lanes on Adams Street, expanded sidewalks, narrowed roads, bus lanes, and possible pedestrianization of Johnson Street. Council Member Restler declared, 'Parks should be for people, not for parking.' Residents voiced support, calling the lot a 'vestige of another era.' The officials will gather more public feedback before submitting a formal proposal. No timeline has been set.

• Parking or Parkland? Brooklyn Judges Could Lose their Perk, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-28

Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The move aims to slow cars where people walk, bike, and gather. Resolution adopted. Streets may breathe easier. Danger may shrink.

Resolution 0079-2024, adopted June 6, 2024 by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The matter title reads: '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 Council's action follows rising traffic deaths and growing use of Open Streets. The bill targets streets where people walk, bike, and gather, aiming to cut speed and risk for all vulnerable users.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

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 2024-02-28

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 2024-02-28

Senate bill S 8658 orders $90 million for faster, more reliable buses and fare-free rides. Sponsors push MTA to act. Riders wait for relief. Streets choke on traffic. The city holds its breath.

Senate bill S 8658, introduced on February 27, 2024, sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'get congestion pricing right act,' directs the MTA to spend $45 million to boost bus frequency and reliability, and another $45 million to expand fare-free bus pilots in New York City. Senators Michael Gianaris (primary sponsor), Jabari Brisport, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Julia Salazar back the measure. The bill demands reporting on these investments. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File S 8658, Open States, Published 2024-02-27

A 27-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a distracted SUV driver hit her while entering a parked position on Bushwick Avenue. The pedestrian was in shock and complained of pain and nausea following the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:11 on Bushwick Avenue involving a 2015 Nissan SUV and a 2013 Infiniti sedan. The pedestrian, a 27-year-old female, was injured when the SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, struck her on the left side doors while entering a parked position. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was getting on or off a vehicle other than a school bus. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles involved. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, experienced shock, and complained of pain and nausea. The sedan, driven by a male with a permit license, was traveling straight ahead and impacted on the right side doors but was not the primary cause of the pedestrian injury. The report highlights driver distraction as the critical factor leading to the pedestrian's injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703264 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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 2024-02-13

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilian complaints trigger fines. Streets clear, danger cut. Council moves to protect the vulnerable.

Int 0080-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 8, 2024, the bill creates a $175 penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 2,640 feet of schools. The Department of Transportation must set up a civilian reporting program. If a civilian complaint leads to a fine, the complainant gets 25 percent of proceeds. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints.' Council Member Carlina Rivera leads, joined by Restler, Ayala, Joseph, Menin, and others. The bill aims to keep paths clear for those most at risk.

• File Int 0080-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilian complaints trigger fines. Streets clear, danger cut. Council moves to protect the vulnerable.

Int 0080-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 8, 2024, the bill creates a $175 penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 2,640 feet of schools. The Department of Transportation must set up a civilian reporting program. If a civilian complaint leads to a fine, the complainant gets 25 percent of proceeds. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints.' Council Member Carlina Rivera leads, joined by Restler, Ayala, Joseph, Menin, and others. The bill aims to keep paths clear for those most at risk.

• File Int 0080-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

A 26-year-old man was struck at a Brooklyn intersection while crossing with the signal. The driver’s inattention and disregard for traffic control led to a head injury. The pedestrian suffered abrasions but remained conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of De Kalb Avenue and Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn around 10 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when he was struck by a bicyclist. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The impact occurred at the center front end of the bike, which sustained no damage. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and abrasions but remained conscious. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to maintain attention and disregard for traffic signals as the cause of the collision. No victim fault or behavior was noted as contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701626 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 74-year-old woman crossing Wyckoff Avenue was struck by a southbound bus making a left turn. The bus driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries, left in shock at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Wyckoff Avenue at an intersection when a southbound bus made a left turn and struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, explicitly attributing fault to the bus driver. The pedestrian was located at the intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. She sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, resulting in shock. The bus, a 2011 Starcraft with one male licensed driver, sustained no damage. The report emphasizes the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699859 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Five years after passage, the city’s commercial waste overhaul crawls forward. Only one zone starts in 2024. Fewer trucks, fewer miles, but delays keep danger rolling. Streets still wait for safer rigs. Cyclists and pedestrians remain exposed.

Bill creating the Commercial Waste Zone program, sponsored by Antonio Reynoso, passed in 2019 after deadly crashes involving private haulers. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced on January 31, 2024, that only one of twenty zones—Jackson Heights, Corona, Elmhurst—will launch this year. The law aims to cut truck miles in half, add backup cameras, GPS, and safety training. DSNY spokesperson Joshua Goodman said contracts target safety and worker protections. Reynoso urged ongoing oversight, saying, 'It is important that DSNY continuously reassess implementation and course correct as needed.' Yet, delays persist, especially on installing guard rails to prevent pedestrians and cyclists from being swept under trucks. Justin Wood of NYLPI voiced concern over the slow rollout. The program promises fewer trucks and safer streets, but for now, most neighborhoods wait.

• Long-Delayed Business Waste Program to Start Later This Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-31

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 2024-01-30

A 12-year-old girl suffered full-body injuries and shock after a vehicle disregarded traffic control and failed to yield while making a right turn on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when struck.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:30 a.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. The vehicle, traveling south and making a right turn, failed to yield the right-of-way and disregarded traffic control, contributing to the collision. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body and was reported to be in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact was significant enough to injure the pedestrian without damaging the vehicle. The report explicitly cites driver errors—traffic control disregarded and failure to yield—as the primary contributing factors. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695936 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Seven Brooklyn officials urge DOT to clear cars from corners. They want boulders, planters, and bike corrals—not just paint. Their call follows deadly crashes. They press the city to use state law and federal funds. DOT promises review. Advocates back the push.

On January 17, 2024, seven Brooklyn elected officials—including Council Member Shahana Hanif, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Marcela Mitaynes, Jo Anne Simon, Robert Carroll, and State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Andrew Gounardes—issued a joint letter to the NYC Department of Transportation. They called for 'universal daylighting with hardened materials such as boulders, planters, and bike corrals' at intersections. The officials cited recent fatal crashes and urged the city to opt into a state law banning parking within 20 feet of corners. They want federal funds used for these changes. The group opposes DOT’s slow pace and reliance on paint, demanding physical barriers. Community board leaders and advocates support the move. DOT says it will review the letter and remains committed to evidence-based daylighting.

• Seven Brooklyn Electeds Join Growing Calls For Universal Daylighting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-17

A 15-year-old unlicensed driver injured his arm in a collision with a parked sedan in Queens. The crash occurred early morning as the inexperienced driver, distracted and inexperienced, struck the parked vehicle’s rear bumper with his left front bumper.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 6:49 AM in Queens near 291 Saint Nicholas. The 15-year-old male driver, unlicensed and alone in his 2000 Buick sedan, was traveling north when he collided with a parked 2020 Toyota sedan. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the Buick against the left rear bumper of the parked Toyota. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The young driver sustained an abrasion injury to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper of the moving car and the left rear bumper of the parked vehicle. The crash underscores risks posed by unlicensed, inexperienced drivers operating vehicles unsafely.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693359 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A crash involving multiple vehicles left one driver injured in Brooklyn. The driver suffered back pain and nausea after the impact. The scene was chaotic, with vehicles damaged and emergency responders on site.

On December 28, 2023, a multi-vehicle crash occurred on Jefferson Street in Brooklyn. One driver, a 34-year-old male, was injured, suffering from back pain and nausea. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The driver was not ejected from the vehicle. No safety equipment was used. The vehicles involved included a pick-up truck making a left turn and several sedans parked or going straight. The impact caused significant damage to the vehicles, particularly on the right front bumper of the truck and the left side doors of one sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 24-year-old man was struck on De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn while crossing with the signal. Two SUVs were involved. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and minor bleeding. Driver inattention was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing De Kalb Avenue with the signal. Two SUVs traveling west were involved. One SUV was parked before the crash and was hit on its left rear bumper. The other SUV was going straight ahead and showed no damage. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and minor bleeding and was in shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other contributing factors were specified. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688148 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05