Brooklyn Bleeds While City Sleeps: Demand Safe Streets Now

Senate passed S 840. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. No mention of direct safety gains for people on foot or bike.

Senate bill S 840, sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy and co-sponsored by Robert Rolison, passed committee on January 9, 2023. The bill, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects; relates to the state share of municipal projects where the municipality funds a complete street design,' sets funding formulas for state and municipal projects. Seventeen senators voted yes. The bill does not address direct safety impacts for vulnerable road users. No analyst note on safety.

• File S 840, Open States, Published 2023-01-09

Senate bill S 100 demands complete street design in state and federally funded projects. Lawmakers push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars.

Senate bill S 100 was introduced on January 4, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 100, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

A 36-year-old man was hit by a van making a right turn on Schenectady Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. He suffered a fractured and dislocated shoulder. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive at the moment of impact.

According to the police report, a van traveling east on Schenectady Avenue made a right turn and struck a 36-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, dislocated shoulder and was conscious after the crash. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction as contributing factors. The van showed no visible damage despite the impact occurring at the right front bumper. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following traffic signals when the collision occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596060 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 58-year-old female SUV driver was partially ejected and suffered neck injuries in a left-turn collision with a sedan going straight. The impact struck the SUV’s left side doors. The sedan hit the SUV’s left front quarter panel.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old female driver of a 2021 SUV was partially ejected and injured her neck in a crash on Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn. The SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a 2004 sedan traveling straight westbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s left side doors and the sedan’s center front end. The SUV driver suffered whiplash and shock. Both drivers were licensed. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The SUV driver’s safety equipment status is unknown.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4565380 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

StreetsPAC called for voters to oust State Sen. Kevin Parker. They backed Kaegan Mays-Williams for her push on protected bike lanes and bus network redesign. Parker ignored safety questions. StreetsPAC praised other candidates who fight for safer streets and transit.

On August 9, 2022, StreetsPAC, New York City's safe streets political action committee, issued an endorsement urging Central Brooklyn voters to retire State Sen. Kevin Parker. The group backed Kaegan Mays-Williams, citing her support for redesigning Brooklyn's bus network and expanding protected bike lanes. StreetsPAC Executive Director Eric McClure said, 'She supports redesigning Brooklyn's bus network to simplify routes and speed commutes.' Parker did not respond to StreetsPAC's request for information and has a record of negative incidents. Mays-Williams stressed the need for dependable public transit and safer cycling. StreetsPAC also highlighted the safety records of Andrew Gounardes, Angel Vasquez, Jabori Brisport, Rajiv Gowda, Christian Amato, and Kristen Gonzalez, noting their support for speed cameras, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and transit improvements. The endorsement signals a clear push for candidates who prioritize vulnerable road users.

• StreetsPAC to Central Brooklyn Voters: Retire State Sen. Kevin Parker Now!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-09

Councilman Restler wants to rip up thousands of parking placards. He targets abuse by city officials and fake permits. His bill exempts people with disabilities. Another measure rewards whistleblowers. The Council should pass both. The city’s streets demand it.

On June 7, 2022, Councilman Lincoln Restler (District 33) announced legislation to revoke tens of thousands of personal vehicle parking placards, with exemptions for people with disabilities and those covered by collective bargaining. The editorial, titled 'Free perking: Pull back run amok NYC parking placards,' calls out rampant placard abuse: 'End this scam.' Restler’s companion bill would reward whistleblowers who report cheaters with 25% of fines collected. Both measures have four co-sponsors. The editorial urges the Council to pass the bills and for Mayor Adams to sign them. Placard abuse fuels lawless parking, endangering pedestrians and cyclists. The city’s lack of oversight lets drivers block crosswalks and bike lanes. Restler’s push aims to restore fairness and safety to New York’s streets.

• Free perking: Pull back run amok NYC parking placards, nydailynews.com, Published 2022-06-07

A taxi making a left turn struck the right side of an SUV on Snyder Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV’s front passenger, a 39-year-old man, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained damage at the point of impact.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Snyder Avenue was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound SUV. The impact occurred on the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the taxi. The SUV carried two occupants, including a front passenger who was injured. The 39-year-old male passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific contributing factors, but the taxi driver’s left turn maneuver was the pre-crash action leading to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4534601 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-06-01

A 24-year-old woman was struck on Snyder Avenue while walking outside an intersection. The vehicle hit her with its right front bumper. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was inattentive and distracted.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured on Snyder Avenue after being struck by a vehicle traveling west. The vehicle impacted her with its right front bumper while she was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered moderate injuries. The vehicle was going straight ahead at the time of impact, and damage was limited to the right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-31

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-25

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-25

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 2022-05-25

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-16

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 2022-05-16

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

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