Prospect Heights Bleeds While City Hall Waits

May 30 - A moped veered off Saint Marks Avenue and struck a 23-year-old woman. She suffered chest bruises. Police cite improper lane use and aggressive driving. The pedestrian was not in the roadway.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south on Saint Marks Avenue collided with a 23-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway and not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained chest contusions and bruising but remained conscious. The report lists the driver’s errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Aggressive Driving/Road Rage." The point of impact was the center front end of the moped. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The pedestrian was injured due to the driver’s improper lane use and aggressive behavior, not due to any fault of her own.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633358 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - Albany spared suburban businesses from a payroll tax hike meant to save the MTA. Black and Latino city workers now shoulder more of the cost. Lawmakers like Mamdani call it unfair. Suburban interests win. City’s vulnerable lose. Racial disparity grows.

On May 19, 2023, state lawmakers finalized a payroll tax policy as part of the MTA funding negotiations. The measure raised the payroll mobility tax only for New York City businesses with high payrolls, exempting suburban firms after pushback from their legislators. The Fiscal Policy Institute found this move shifted the tax burden onto Black and Latino workers in the city. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani condemned the policy, saying, 'this illustrates the consequences of fiscal policy that privileges the suburbs over the larger MTA region.' Assembly Member Robert Carroll was one of the few to oppose the exemption. FPI’s Emily Eisner noted, 'there will be a 25-percent decline in the share of white workers impacted by the tax, and a 36-percent increase in the share of Black workers impacted.' Governor Hochul defended the plan as necessary to save the MTA. The bill’s racial and geographic inequity remains stark.

• Albany’s Fealty to Suburbs Hurts Black, Latino Workers: Report, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-19

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

Apr 28 - Assembly Member Carroll rejects letting suburbs dodge the MTA payroll tax hike. He says all regions use transit, all must pay. Exempting suburbs would gut MTA funding. Carroll demands shared cost, warns against service cuts, and calls for real revenue.

Assembly Member Robert Carroll issued a legislative statement on April 28, 2023, urging equal cost-sharing for the MTA Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT) increase. The proposal, discussed in the Assembly, faces suburban resistance. Carroll’s statement, titled "When It Comes to Transit, Everyone Must Pay Their Fair Share," argues that exempting suburbs would cost the MTA $325 million and undermine regional transit. Carroll and NYC Assembly colleagues wrote to Speaker Heastie, demanding the PMT hike apply to both city and suburbs or, failing that, that new revenue go only to NYC Transit. Carroll said, "It is unwise and bad policy to abandon the principle of an integrated regional transportation system funded through cost sharing across the jurisdictions that benefit most from the MTA." He warns that letting only city businesses pay would be unfair and would threaten transit service. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the statement centers on funding the transit system that protects vulnerable road users.

• Assembly Member Carroll: When It Comes to Transit, Everyone Must Pay Their Fair Share, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-28

Apr 26 - Albany’s payroll tax plan spares the suburbs, dumps the MTA’s burden on New York City. Lawmakers and analysts call it unfair. The city shoulders the cost. Suburban riders get a free pass. The MTA’s deficit grows. Transit’s future hangs in the balance.

The proposed payroll mobility tax hike, debated in Albany as of April 26, 2023, would apply only to New York City, leaving suburban counties exempt. The matter, described as a plan to 'save the MTA,' faces criticism for letting 'suburban fatcats' dodge responsibility. Assembly Member Robert Carroll (D-Brooklyn) slammed the exemption, asking, 'We have a regional network, why aren't we having the region pay for it?' Carroll called the carve-out 'unconscionable' and 'ridiculous,' pointing to billions spent on suburban transit. Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany warned the move 'sets a terrible precedent' and deepens inequity. MTA CEO Janno Lieber deferred to lawmakers but stressed the need to close the deficit. The bill’s status remains in flux as budget talks continue. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was assessed.

• Payroll Tax Hike to Save MTA May Completely Exclude New York’s Transit-Rich Suburbs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-26

Apr 22 - A 7-year-old girl was struck at an intersection on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. The vehicle hit her with its right front bumper. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver was inattentive and following too closely.

According to the police report, a 7-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Vanderbilt Avenue and Dean Street in Brooklyn. The vehicle, a 2021 Toyota SUV traveling west, struck her with its right front bumper. The child sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including inattention and distraction, as well as following too closely. The pedestrian's actions are unknown. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The driver was alone in the vehicle and was going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4622571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 14 - A sedan struck the rear of a parked vehicle on Flatbush Avenue. The front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash happened late at night. Police cited following too closely and driver inexperience as causes.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Flatbush Avenue rear-ended a parked vehicle. The front passenger, a 41-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of the parked sedan and the center front end of the striking vehicle. No ejections occurred. The driver was licensed in New York. The crash occurred at 11 p.m. in Brooklyn's 11217 zip code.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620708 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 1 - A 32-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan struck the bike’s center back end. The rider suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The driver failed to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 32-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The sedan struck the bike at its center back end, causing the injury. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end, while the bike showed no damage. The bicyclist remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4617641 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 26 - A sedan veered to park on Flatbush. The driver looked away. The bumper hit a man’s leg. Bone snapped. He stayed upright, pain sharp and sudden. The street did not forgive. The car rolled on. The man did not fall.

A sedan struck a 39-year-old man on Flatbush Avenue near 331 Flatbush. The man stood in the street when the car veered to park. According to the police report, 'The bumper struck his leg. Bone gave way. He did not fall. He stayed awake while pain bloomed. The driver was looking elsewhere.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The driver failed to watch the road while maneuvering to park. No vehicle damage was reported. The man remained conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4615723 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - A motorcycle struck a bicyclist from behind on Dean Street in Brooklyn. The 25-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered bruises over his entire body. The crash caused no visible damage to either vehicle. The rider remained conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling straight ahead rear-ended a bicyclist also going straight on Dean Street, Brooklyn. The 25-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and bruises to his entire body. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating the motorcycle driver failed to maintain a safe distance. Neither vehicle showed visible damage at the point of impact. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist. The motorcyclist's license status was not provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 23 - Senator Gounardes wants a 25-cent fee on every online package. The money would fund city infrastructure. Trucks crowd streets. Packages pile up. The bill aims to slow the flood. City Hall will review. Delivery giants face new rules. Streets stay dangerous.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill on March 23, 2023, proposing a 25-cent surcharge on every online delivery package in New York City. The bill, now under review, aims to raise $226 million yearly for city infrastructure. Gounardes said, "We're proposing an infrastructure fund to help pay for some of the capital costs to mitigate some of the consequences of last-mile trucking, and freight growth." The bill responds to a surge in daily package deliveries, now at 2.3 million, and forecasts of 200,000 trucks a day by 2045. Gounardes, the bill's sponsor, wants the city—not the MTA—to control the funds. City Hall has not taken a position but said it welcomes ideas to limit emissions and advance infrastructure. The bill joins other efforts to regulate last-mile delivery and warehouse placement. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• State Senator Seeks Online Delivery Charge to Fund City Infrastructure, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-23

Mar 21 - 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 2023-03-21

Mar 21 - 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 2023-03-21

Mar 18 - A 30-year-old man riding south on Vanderbilt Avenue was struck and injured. Bruises and leg wounds marked the crash. Driver failed to yield. Improper lane use played a role. The cyclist stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on Vanderbilt Avenue was injured when another vehicle, also heading south, made a right turn. The crash left the cyclist with contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The cyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after impact. The police report does not specify if the cyclist wore safety equipment. Driver errors led to the bicyclist's injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - Prospect Park’s East Drive gets a full overhaul. Fresh pavement replaces potholes. Cyclists and pedestrians gain wider, dedicated lanes. Cars lose ground. Officials call it a pilot for city parks. If it works, Central Park could be next.

On March 8, 2023, city officials announced a major redesign of Prospect Park’s East Drive. The project, not tied to a specific council bill, begins March 12 and is billed as an 18-month pilot. The main loop’s eastern stretch will be repaved and repainted, giving cyclists a 16-to-18-foot shared lane with authorized vehicles, flanked by two pedestrian lanes up to 14 feet wide. The city rejected a two-bike-lane alternative, citing pedestrian access needs. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie praised the upgrade, calling Prospect Park a treasure. Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu said, 'Re-examining how we design the roads in our park system is a perfect example of how we’re advancing the Mayor’s vision for quality public spaces throughout the city.' Officials stress the park is closed to private vehicles. The redesign aims to set a new standard for park safety and access across New York.

• New Prospect Park Road Redesign Paves the Way for Central Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-08

Mar 5 - A sedan driven by a 27-year-old woman struck parked vehicles on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver and a 30-year-old female passenger suffered neck and face injuries. Both were conscious and restrained. Police cited driver inattention as a factor.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old female driver traveling west on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn collided with parked vehicles. The crash involved three sedans, with the moving vehicle impacting the left front bumper and overturning. The driver and a 30-year-old female passenger in the rear seat were injured, suffering whiplash to the neck and face. Both occupants were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The collision caused damage to the left rear bumpers and quarter panels of the parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 1 - City eyes a temporary highway atop Brooklyn Heights. Trucks may thunder down quiet blocks. Residents brace for noise, danger, and disruption. Officials promise green space and safer bike links, but locals call the plan reckless. Streets meant for people, not freight.

On March 1, 2023, NYC DOT floated a plan to build a temporary highway through Brooklyn Heights during the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) rebuild. The agency outlined two options: diverting traffic onto local streets or constructing a bypass road. The matter, described as 'a controversial possibility reminiscent of an earlier plan,' sparked outrage. Assembly Member Robert Carroll slammed the idea of sending trucks onto residential blocks as 'insane.' Lara Birnback of the Brooklyn Heights Association called the plan disruptive and wasteful. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez highlighted public calls for 'safer bike and pedestrian connections' and new green space. No bill number or committee was cited. The plan remains a proposal, with no set price or location. Vulnerable road users face increased risk if trucks flood neighborhood streets.

• City May Build A Temporary Highway Through Brooklyn Heights After All, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-01

Mar 1 - NYC streets kill. Cars rule the city. Most people do not own one. Still, roads belong to drivers. Air chokes. Noise blares. Vision Zero fails. Other cities save lives. NYC rebuilds highways. The author demands bold change. Streets must serve people, not cars.

This opinion piece, published March 1, 2023, in Streetsblog NYC, argues that New York City streets themselves are a public nuisance. The article states, 'Most New York City households don’t own a car, yet most street space is given to motor vehicles, interfering with city life.' The author criticizes the Department of Transportation and city leaders for maintaining car dominance, rebuilding highways like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and failing to meet Vision Zero goals. The piece cites Attorney General Letitia James’s stance on truck depots and calls for NYC to follow cities like Helsinki and Oslo, which have eliminated pedestrian deaths. The author urges the city to use federal funds to remove highways and reclaim streets for people, not cars. No council members are directly involved, as this is an editorial.

• Opinion: New York City Streets Should Themselves Be Illegal!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-01

Feb 26 - A moped and an SUV collided on Washington Avenue. The moped driver was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Both vehicles struck front quarters. The moped driver wore a helmet. The crash left the driver fractured and dislocated, conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, a moped traveling east and an SUV heading north collided on Washington Avenue. The moped driver, a 36-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the moped driver. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the moped and the right front bumper of the SUV. The moped driver was wearing a helmet. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19