The Blood Doesn’t Lie: Dyker Heights Demands Safer Streets Now

Apr 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

Apr 12 - A 31-year-old woman suffered a hip and upper leg contusion after a vehicle struck her at an intersection. The driver, making a left turn, showed inexperience and distraction. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the impact occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 8 Avenue near 67 Street in Brooklyn at 4:05 AM. A pedestrian, a 31-year-old female, was crossing with the signal at the intersection when she was struck by a vehicle making a left turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to her hip and upper leg and remained conscious. The report cites driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors to the collision. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The vehicle had no occupants other than the driver, and the driver’s license status and vehicle details were unspecified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716888 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - A motorcycle collided with a vehicle making a left turn on 67 Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and improper turning as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:40 on 67 Street near 8 Avenue in Brooklyn. A motorcycle traveling eastbound struck the center back end of a vehicle making a left turn southbound. The motorcycle driver, a 34-year-old male, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction, as well as improper turning by the vehicle driver, as contributing factors. The motorcycle driver was licensed in New York and was the sole occupant of his vehicle. The collision caused damage to the center front end of the turning vehicle and the center back end of the motorcycle. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 4 - SUV turned left, struck a 6-year-old boy in Brooklyn. Child crossed with the signal. Driver failed to yield. Boy suffered abrasions to knee, leg, foot. No vehicle damage. Impact left the child conscious, hurt, and vulnerable.

According to the police report, a station wagon/SUV traveling east on 68 Street in Brooklyn struck a 6-year-old pedestrian at the intersection with 13 Avenue at 8:25 a.m. The child was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, making a left turn, hit him with its left front bumper. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and improper turning as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. Driver errors in yielding and turning led to injury for a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 3 - A driver sped through Bay Ridge Parkway, ignored traffic control, and struck a 32-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk. She suffered a head injury and concussion. The crash left her conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old woman was crossing Bay Ridge Parkway at 12 Avenue in a marked crosswalk when a vehicle traveling east struck her with its left front bumper. The impact caused a head injury and concussion. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, showing the driver failed to obey signals and control speed. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. No further details on the vehicle or driver were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714600 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 29 - A sedan driver making a U-turn collided with an oncoming sedan traveling east. The impact trapped and injured the U-turning driver, causing neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn at 8:05 AM near 65th Street. A 38-year-old male driver, operating a 2022 Acura sedan, was making a U-turn westbound when his vehicle's left front bumper struck the center front end of an eastbound sedan. The impact caused damage to both vehicles, including the left rear quarter panel of the Acura. The U-turning driver was trapped inside and sustained neck injuries, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The police report explicitly identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during complex maneuvers like U-turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - 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

Mar 26 - An unlicensed driver making a left turn failed to yield right-of-way, colliding with another vehicle. The driver suffered a fractured hip and upper leg injury. Police cite failure to yield and driver distraction as key factors in the Brooklyn crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:00 PM near 6408 Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The unlicensed driver of a 2023 Toyota SUV was making a left turn when he failed to yield right-of-way, resulting in a collision. The driver, a 36-year-old male occupant, sustained a fractured and dislocated injury to his hip and upper leg. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. Multiple vehicles were involved, but the primary cause was the unlicensed driver’s failure to yield while turning left. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712983 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - Drivers rack up speed and red light camera tickets. No points. No suspensions. Gianaris backs a bill to yank registrations after five violations. Victims’ families and DOT demand action. The loophole leaves reckless drivers free to kill.

Queens Senator Michael Gianaris, with Assemblymember William Magnarelli, introduced a bill to suspend vehicle registrations after five speed or red light camera violations in one year. The measure remains in committee. The bill responds to a fatal flaw: 'We have no mechanism right now, under law, to crack down on extremely reckless drivers,' said Brooklyn State Sen. Andrew Gounardes. The current law lets drivers rack up dozens of camera tickets and keep driving, since no points are added to licenses. Gianaris’s bill aims to close this loophole. DOT and crash victims’ families, including Juliane Williams, whose daughter was killed by a speeding driver, press for stronger penalties and expansion of the red light camera program. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program expired with little effect. The city’s vulnerable road users remain at risk while repeat offenders face few real consequences.

• FATAL FLAW: NYC reckless motorists can keep driving no matter how many speed camera tickets they get, amny.com, Published 2024-03-24

Mar 23 - An intoxicated driver with a permit license struck a parked SUV in Brooklyn. The sedan's right front bumper hit the SUV’s left rear quarter panel. The driver suffered head injuries and minor bleeding, enduring shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male driver with a permit license was involved in a crash at 9:00 AM in Brooklyn. The driver was operating a 2014 sedan traveling east when he collided with a parked 2022 SUV. The point of impact was the sedan's right front bumper against the SUV's left rear quarter panel. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor twice, indicating impairment played a critical role. The driver was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. He sustained head injuries with minor bleeding and was in shock at the scene. The report does not cite any victim behaviors contributing to the crash, focusing on the driver's alcohol impairment and loss of control as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711822 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - 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

Mar 19 - Council bill orders DOT to repair broken curbs during street resurfacing. Hazardous curbs trip, trap, and injure. The fix is overdue. Pedestrians need solid ground. Council moves to force action.

Int 0724-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill commands DOT to repair broken curbs that pose safety hazards during any resurfacing project. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Members Schulman, Gennaro (primary), Gutiérrez, Louis, Brewer, and Avilés sponsor the measure. The bill targets a simple danger: shattered curbs that trip and injure. If passed, DOT must fix these hazards as routine, not afterthought. The law would take effect 120 days after enactment.

• File Int 0724-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 18 - A Ford making a right turn struck an 18-year-old man outside a Brooklyn intersection. The car’s bumper hit his hip and leg. He was conscious, hurt, and left with abrasions. The crash shows driver error in a danger zone.

According to the police report, a 2022 Ford driven by a licensed man made a right turn on Fort Hamilton Parkway near 65th Street in Brooklyn at 20:12. The vehicle struck an 18-year-old male pedestrian outside an intersection. The point of impact was the right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and trauma to his hip and upper leg, with injury severity level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors, but no pedestrian fault. The data highlights driver error during the turn as the critical factor in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 18 - An inattentive SUV driver collided head-on with a northbound e-bike on 65 Street in Brooklyn. The unlicensed e-bike rider was partially ejected and suffered serious leg injuries. The SUV driver was licensed but distracted, causing the crash.

According to the police report, at 4:40 AM on 65 Street near Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn, a licensed SUV driver traveling east collided with a northbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 26-year-old male operating without a license, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for the e-bike rider, while the SUV driver was also noted for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV's right front bumper struck the e-bike's center front end, resulting in significant vehicle damage and serious injury to the vulnerable rider. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and unlicensed operation in Brooklyn's streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710429 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 15 - A Brooklyn subway shooting jolted lawmakers. Jo Anne Simon called the National Guard’s presence unwarranted, stoking fear instead of safety. Calls for more policing, mental health funding, and gun control echoed. Riders remain wary. No clear path to safer commutes.

On March 15, 2024, following a deadly subway shooting, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (District 52) and other lawmakers responded with urgency. The incident came days after Governor Hochul’s National Guard deployment in the transit system. Simon stated, 'The Governor's recent deployment of the National Guard was unwarranted and caused fear rather than a sense of safety.' Other officials, including Brian Cunningham and Lester Chang, debated the effectiveness of increased policing and called for more investment in mental health and gun safety. The matter, titled 'NYC subway shooting a ‘wake up call’,' underscores deep divides on how to protect riders. Simon’s stance highlights the risk of heavy-handed security measures fueling anxiety, not safety, for vulnerable New Yorkers.

• NYC subway shooting a ‘wake up call’ — coming on heels of NY Gov. Kathy Hochul’s National Guard safety plan: lawmakers, nypost.com, Published 2024-03-15

Mar 7 - 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

Feb 28 - Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council wants 500 solar-lit crosswalks in five years. Bright signals cut through the dark. The bill demands action and a study. Safety for walkers, not drivers. No more hiding in the shadows.

Int 0301-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law...in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and others. The bill also requires a study comparing these devices to standard signs. The city must report findings within two years. The goal: more visible crossings, fewer deadly impacts.

• File Int 0301-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to hit sidewalk parkers with stiffer fines. DOT must study and install bollards in M1 zones. Streets clear, paths open. No more cars blocking the way. Action, not talk.

Bill Int 0106-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to enhancing penalties for sidewalk parking and installing bollards in M1 zoning districts,' targets commercial, manufacturing, and industrial establishments parking on sidewalks. Council Members Lincoln Restler (primary), Alexa Avilés, and Shahana K. Hanif sponsor the measure. It orders DOT to levy higher fines, study bollard use, and install them where needed. DOT must report findings to the Mayor and Council. The aim: keep sidewalks clear for people, not parked cars.

• File Int 0106-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill pushes DOT to let schools, centers, and institutions use streets outside their doors. More people, less traffic. Streets shift from cars to community. Still in committee.

Int 0450-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill orders DOT to create a program letting community centers, schools, arts, and religious institutions use adjacent outdoor spaces. The matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to establish a program to allow community centers, schools, arts and cultural institutions and religious institutions to use adjacent outdoor spaces.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Stevens, Restler, Won, and others. The bill has not yet passed. If enacted, it could reclaim space from cars, giving it to people. No formal safety analysis yet, but the measure could mean safer, more vibrant streets for all.

• File Int 0450-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28