Kensington Bleeds: Four Dead, Hundreds Hurt, Leaders Stall

Senator Kevin Parker pushes Senate Bill S2984 to require NYPD officers to live in the city. He says outsiders patrol like an occupying force. Research shows residency means faster response, better trust, and fewer abuses. Mayor Adams backs the idea.

"we need an NYPD residency requirement, which the force had until 1962. To this end, I introduced Senate bill S2984, which would reinstate the requirement for all future NYPD officers." -- Kevin Parker

Senate Bill S2984, introduced by State Senator Kevin Parker, would reinstate a residency requirement for all future NYPD officers. The bill is currently a legislative proposal. Parker argues, 'we need an NYPD residency requirement, which the force had until 1962.' He highlights that over half of NYPD officers now live outside the city, undermining trust and accountability. Parker’s record includes laws on police misconduct, body cameras, and transparency. He cites a 2021 DePaul University study showing residency brings faster response times, better complaint handling, more diversity, and stronger community ties. Mayor Adams called the proposal 'a smart idea.' Parker urges Albany to act, stressing that most city civil servants already live in the five boroughs. He pledges to work on affordable housing for officers. The bill stands as one tool among many in Parker’s police reform agenda.

• OPINION: NYPD Officers Must Live in the City They Serve Rather Than Being an ‘Occupying Force’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-06

Councilmember Rita Joseph opens the door. Residents in District 40 and four other Brooklyn districts can vote on local projects. Ballots close April 10. The process funds parks, schools, and public spaces. The city lets people decide. Streets may change.

Participatory Budgeting voting opened in Brooklyn District 40 on April 7, 2022. Councilmember Rita Joseph announced the cycle, which runs until April 10. The process lets residents as young as 11 vote on capital and expense projects. The official matter title: 'Voting for Participatory Budgeting is open in five Brooklyn districts until April 10.' Joseph, along with councilmembers Jennifer Gutiérrez (34), Chi Ossé (36), Alexa Avilés (38), and Shahana Hanif (39), offers in-person and online voting. Projects range from park upgrades to school improvements. Final results will be announced the week of April 17. Participatory Budgeting shapes how public money is spent, but the safety impact for vulnerable road users depends on which projects win. No direct safety assessment was provided.

• Voting for Participatory Budgeting is open in five Brooklyn districts until April 10, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-04-07

A 61-year-old woman on a bike was hit by a backing SUV on East 4 Street in Brooklyn. The impact struck her left front bumper area. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver was licensed and male.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old female bicyclist was injured when a 2012 Toyota SUV backing south on East 4 Street in Brooklyn struck her bike on the left front bumper. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV driver, a licensed male, was backing at the time of the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors but notes the SUV was backing and the bike was traveling west going straight ahead. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The collision caused damage to the right rear bumper of the SUV and the left front bumper of the bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4515553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 63-year-old man driving a sedan eastbound on Caton Avenue collided with a parked sedan. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. Police cited illness as a contributing factor. Damage was to the right front bumper and left rear quarter panel.

According to the police report, a 63-year-old male driver traveling east on Caton Avenue struck a parked sedan. The driver was injured and incoherent but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists illness as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The moving vehicle sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the parked vehicle was damaged on its left rear quarter panel. No other driver errors were noted. The driver was properly licensed and wearing a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4515571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Senate Bill 8667 would force new drivers to log six hours with a professional instructor. Gounardes and Carroll say the current system is lax. They want more training. Safety leaders back the move. DOT is reviewing. Streets stay deadly.

Senate Bill 8667, introduced by Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Bobby Carroll, would require all new drivers in New York State to complete six hours of professional driving instruction before taking the road test. The bill was announced on March 29, 2022. Gounardes slammed the current rules as too lenient, saying, "For some drivers, the first time they take the wheel [as a licensed driver] they are in sole control of their car." Carroll called the requirement "reasonable." Stephen Walling, president of the New York State Association of Professional Driving Schools, said the bill would "go a long way towards keeping all New Yorkers safer on our roads." The NYC Department of Transportation called driver education "crucial" for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users, and is reviewing the proposal. The bill awaits committee action.

• Albany Bill Would Finally Mandate Instruction for Student Drivers (Well, a Little), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-29

A moving sedan struck a parked car on East 2 Street. The driver, a 21-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Impact crushed the parked car’s rear quarter panel and the sedan’s front end.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on East 2 Street in Brooklyn collided with the left rear quarter panel of a parked vehicle. The driver, a 21-year-old male, sustained neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash damaged the parked car’s rear and the moving sedan’s front. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted. The injured party was the driver of the moving vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4514376 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A sedan struck a parked bus on McDonald Avenue. The driver, a 36-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The bus took damage to its left rear. The sedan driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male sedan driver was injured when his vehicle struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked bus on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan was passing the stationary bus at the time of the crash. The driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified. The bus was not moving and sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. No damage was recorded on the sedan. The driver held a valid New York license and was traveling southbound.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4514370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A taxi struck the rear of a stopped SUV on Prospect Expressway in Brooklyn. The impact injured a 57-year-old male passenger in the SUV. The passenger suffered a neck injury and concussion. The crash was caused by following too closely.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Prospect Expressway rear-ended a stopped SUV. The collision occurred at the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the taxi. A 57-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear of the SUV was injured, sustaining a neck injury and concussion. The passenger was conscious and protected by an airbag deployment. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor for the crash. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The crash involved three vehicles, but only the SUV passenger was reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4510244 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

An e-scooter driver was ejected and injured in a collision with an SUV on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. The 53-year-old woman suffered facial injuries and was semiconscious at the scene. Both vehicles were traveling north when the crash occurred.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old female e-scooter driver was injured and ejected during a crash with a northbound SUV on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver suffered facial injuries and was semiconscious, complaining of pain and nausea. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the e-scooter driver but does not identify any specific driver errors or violations. The e-scooter driver wore a helmet, classified as "Helmet Only (In-Line Skater/Bicyclist)." No damage was reported to the e-scooter, and the SUV had no occupants at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4509189 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Two SUVs crashed on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. A 9-year-old boy riding as a rear passenger was injured, suffering a shoulder bruise. Both vehicles struck front and quarter panels. The child was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Ocean Parkway near Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn. The first vehicle, traveling south, hit the left front bumper of the second vehicle, which was traveling west and impacted on the right front quarter panel. A 9-year-old male occupant in the right rear seat of one SUV was injured, sustaining a contusion to the shoulder and upper arm. He was conscious and properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the collision. The crash caused moderate vehicle damage but no ejections or severe injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4508573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Senate passed S 3897. More state cash flows to cities that build complete streets. Lawmakers push for safer roads. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at survival.

Bill S 3897 cleared the Senate committee on March 2, 2022, with a final vote on May 25, 2022. The bill, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' boosts state funding for transportation projects when cities add complete street features. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Senators including Cooney, Gallivan, Kaminsky, Kaplan, Liu, and others voted yes. The measure aims to tie state money to safer street design, pushing municipalities to build roads that protect people outside cars.

• File S 3897, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Brooklyn lawmakers tell developers: no more parking mandates. They want special permits to drop parking. They say parking rules drive up costs, block affordable homes, and fuel car use. The message is clear—build for people, not for cars.

On March 1, 2022, Brooklyn politicians announced a push to eliminate mandatory parking minimums for new developments. The action is not a formal bill, but a policy stance led by Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Lincoln Restler. The group, including Council Members Jennifer Gutierrez, Crystal Hudson, Chi Osse, Sandy Nurse, Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Rita Joseph, and Farah Louis, demands that developers seeking zoning changes first apply for a special permit to waive parking requirements. Restler said, 'Developers need our consent and approval, and we are telling them, plainly, that they have to file for a special permit to end parking requirements.' Reynoso added, 'You don't need to do that anymore.' Avilés called parking mandates a barrier to affordable housing and climate action. The group argues that parking minimums raise construction costs, encourage car use, and block green space. Restler warned he is 'far more likely to vote no' on projects without a parking waiver. Advocates and policy experts back the move, and related state legislation is pending.

• Brooklyn Pols Tell Developers to Eliminate Parking or Else, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-01

State officials want answers from cyclists. They ask how, where, and why people ride. The survey digs into barriers, habits, and needs. Planners say the data will shape safer, fairer streets. Results will go public. Cyclists’ voices count.

On February 17, 2022, New York State launched the first New York Bike Census, a voluntary survey led by NYSERDA and Urban Cycling Solutions. The effort is described as 'an unprecedented effort to collect detailed data on bicycle transportation across the state.' The survey asks about riding frequency, infrastructure, barriers, and connections to transit. Assembly Member Robert Carroll and State Senator Julia Salazar have backed related legislation for an e-bike rebate program. The survey’s results will be shared with governments and advocacy groups. Officials say the data will help planners and policymakers 'invest in safer, more equitable multimodal streets.' No direct safety impact assessment was provided, but the project aims to inform future improvements for vulnerable road users.

• New York State Wants To Know Everything About Your Cycling Habits, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-17

A Brooklyn man got death threats after reporting illegal parking to 311. City Hall condemned the harassment but offered no reforms. Police stayed silent. Local officials demanded answers. The city’s response left dangerous gaps for those who report reckless driving.

On February 10, 2022, City Hall responded to threats against Tony Melone, a Park Slope resident who filed a 311 complaint about illegal parking. The incident, covered by Streetsblog, exposed how reporting traffic violations can put New Yorkers at risk. City Hall called the harassment 'extremely disturbing' and promised to review a Department of Investigation probe, but did not commit to changing NYPD’s handling of 311 complaints. Assembly Member Robert Carroll condemned the threats and demanded accountability if city staff leaked Melone’s information. Council Member Shahana Hanif echoed concern, urging that harassment not silence those reporting dangerous driving. The NYPD did not comment. The city’s lack of action leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as illegal parking blocks sightlines, sidewalks, and bike lanes, endangering lives.

• City Hall Condemns Death Threats to 311 User Who Filed Illegal Parking Complaint to NYPD, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-10

A Brooklyn man got death threats after reporting illegal parking to 311. City Hall condemned the harassment but offered no reforms. Police stayed silent. Local officials demanded answers. The city’s response left dangerous gaps for those who report reckless driving.

On February 10, 2022, City Hall responded to threats against Tony Melone, a Park Slope resident who filed a 311 complaint about illegal parking. The incident, covered by Streetsblog, exposed how reporting traffic violations can put New Yorkers at risk. City Hall called the harassment 'extremely disturbing' and promised to review a Department of Investigation probe, but did not commit to changing NYPD’s handling of 311 complaints. Assembly Member Robert Carroll condemned the threats and demanded accountability if city staff leaked Melone’s information. Council Member Shahana Hanif echoed concern, urging that harassment not silence those reporting dangerous driving. The NYPD did not comment. The city’s lack of action leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as illegal parking blocks sightlines, sidewalks, and bike lanes, endangering lives.

• City Hall Condemns Death Threats to 311 User Who Filed Illegal Parking Complaint to NYPD, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-10

A 26-year-old man was hit by a taxi traveling east on Beverley Road in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. The taxi’s right front quarter panel was damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on Beverley Road in Brooklyn struck a 26-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. The taxi’s right front quarter panel was damaged on impact. No specific driver errors were listed in the report. The pedestrian’s actions and location at the time of the crash remain unknown. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not indicate any driver violations or safety equipment use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4499635 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Councilmember Shahana Hanif calls out deadly Brooklyn streets. She names Arcellie Muschamp, killed in a crosswalk by a truck. Hanif demands street designs that slow drivers. She rejects punishment as the main fix. She wants action to stop traffic deaths.

On January 18, 2022, Councilmember Shahana Hanif issued a statement on pedestrian safety following the death of Arcellie Muschamp in Brooklyn. The matter, titled 'Crossing the Street Should Not Be a Matter of Life and Death,' highlights the failure of current street design. Hanif, representing the district where Muschamp died, pledges to fight for safer streets. She calls for preventive design—daylighting, mid-block chicanes, leading pedestrian intervals, pedestrian-only crossings, and safety islands. Hanif opposes relying on punitive enforcement, saying, 'Planning streets for people means designs that force drivers to drive slowly and carefully.' She urges the Council and new administration to act, stating, 'Our streets are dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists because they are planned for cars, not people.' Hanif’s stance centers vulnerable road users and demands systemic change.

• New Brooklyn Council Member: Crossing the Street Should Not Be a Matter of Life and Death, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-01-18

Councilmember Shahana Hanif calls out deadly Brooklyn streets. She names Arcellie Muschamp, killed saving a child from a reckless driver. Hanif demands street designs that slow cars and shield walkers. She rejects empty enforcement. She wants action, not excuses.

On January 18, 2022, Councilmember Shahana Hanif (District 39) issued a statement on pedestrian safety and street design. She declared, 'Crossing the street should not be a matter of life or death—but, for too many New Yorkers, it is.' Hanif invoked the death of Arcellie Muschamp, a nanny killed by a truck driver who failed to yield at Union Street and Fifth Avenue. Hanif criticized streets built for cars, not people, and called for preventive design: daylighting, chicanes, pedestrian intervals, Barnes Dances, and safety islands. She opposes relying on punitive enforcement. Hanif pledged to fight for safer streets so children and caretakers can cross without fear. Her statement underscores the urgent need for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• New Brooklyn Council Member: Crossing the Street Should Not Be a Matter of Life and Death, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-01-18

A 73-year-old man crossing Ditmas Avenue with the signal was struck by a vehicle making a right turn. He suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The driver was inattentive and disregarded traffic control, causing the injury.

According to the police report, a 73-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Ditmas Avenue at East 8 Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling east made a right turn and struck him. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with disregarding traffic control. No information on the vehicle type or driver details was provided. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following traffic signals at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4493323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12