Eastchester Bleeds—Leaders Sleep

Assembly Speaker Heastie blocked a vote on Sammy's Law. The bill would let New York City set its own speed limits. The Senate passed it. Families for Safe Streets staged a hunger strike. The Assembly will return. Lives hang in the balance.

On June 10, 2023, the New York State Assembly failed to vote on Sammy's Law, a bill that would allow New York City to set its own speed limits. The bill, supported by Gov. Hochul, Mayor Adams, and the City Council, had already passed the Senate 55-7. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to bring it to a vote, despite majority support in the Assembly. Amy Cohen, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets, condemned Heastie, saying, 'There’s only one roadblock: Speaker Carl Heastie refusing to call a vote on a popular, life-saving bill.' Activists warned that more preventable deaths will follow if the Assembly does not act. The Assembly is expected to reconvene later in the month to address unfinished business, possibly including Sammy's Law.

• BREAKING: Assembly Fails to Pass Bill to Allow NYC to Set Speed Limits, But Will Return Later This Month, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-10

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s state car triggered speed cameras 12 times in Bronx school zones. He blames staff. Meanwhile, he blocks a vote on Sammy’s Law, which would let New York City lower speed limits. Streets stay deadly. Lawmakers stall. Pedestrians pay.

Assembly Bill 'Sammy’s Law' remains stalled in the New York State Assembly. Speaker Carl Heastie (District 83) has not called a floor vote as of June 9, 2023, despite the bill passing the State Senate. The bill, championed by advocates, would let New York City set 20-mile-per-hour speed limits on some streets. The matter summary states, 'Heastie has not called a floor vote on Sammy’s Law, which would allow New York City to set a 20-mile-per-hour speed limit on some streets.' Heastie’s state vehicle was caught speeding 12 times in school zones. He claims staffers were driving. Transportation Chair Bill Magnarelli suggested the bill’s fate might have changed if the City Council had acted sooner, a claim the Council disputes. Heastie’s spokesman said, 'He reminded them that the reason we passed the speed-camera legislation was to ensure the safety of students and the public, and that these violations are unacceptable.' No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• Wasn’t me! Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s car triggers speed camera 12 times – blames staffers, nypost.com, Published 2023-06-09

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

On day three, two mothers who lost children to reckless drivers faced threats of removal from Albany. Invited by Assembly Member Carroll, they were barred as 'lobbyists.' Sammy's Law, which would let New York City set speed limits, remains stalled. Grief meets bureaucracy.

On June 8, 2023, advocates staged a hunger strike in Albany to protest the Assembly's inaction on Sammy's Law. The bill would allow New York City to control its own speed limits. Despite support from Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, the City Council, and the state Senate, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has not brought the bill to a vote. The matter summary states: 'On day three of a hunger strike... two mothers, Amy Cohen and Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, who lost children to reckless drivers, were labeled as lobbyists and threatened with removal from the Capitol.' Assembly Member Bobby Carroll invited the mothers, but they were told to stay outside. Cohen said, 'It’s outrageous that we couldn't be recognized.' Mendieta-Cuapio called the hunger strike necessary. The protest highlights the personal cost of advocacy and the political barriers blocking action on street safety.

• Day 3: These Hunger Strikers aren’t Paid Lobbyists — But Albany Can’t Tell the Difference, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-08

Sammy’s Law would let New York City drop speed limits to 20 mph on deadly streets. Council Member Gutierrez led the charge. Brooks-Powers joined. Streets scarred by crashes and deaths. Lower speeds mean fewer bodies broken. The city waits. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, debated by the NYC Council and State Legislature, seeks home rule for New York City to lower speed limits from 25 to 20 mph on dangerous streets. Council Member Jen Gutierrez carried the resolution; Selvena Brooks-Powers later signed on. The bill targets corridors like Bushwick Avenue, Laurelton Parkway, and East Gun Hill Road—sites of hundreds of crashes and dozens killed or maimed since 2019. The matter summary states: 'Because people are dying and being maimed on New York's most-dangerous 25-mile-per-hour streets.' Supporters, including State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, cite the science: lower speeds mean less force, fewer deaths. Research shows 20 mph zones cut crashes by 60 percent. The bill does not mandate, but allows, lower limits where carnage is highest. The council’s action centers the lives of pedestrians and cyclists, demanding the city act before more are lost.

• MAP QUEST: See Exactly Why Sammy’s Law Would Be So Crucial for the Boroughs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-08

Mothers starve for Sammy’s Law. Hochul offers sympathy, not action. Heastie keeps the bill off the floor. The law would let New York City lower speed limits. Assembly support grows. Vulnerable road users wait. Streets stay deadly. Lawmakers stall. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, stalled in the New York State Assembly, would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. On June 7, 2023, Governor Hochul expressed sympathy for hunger-striking mothers but refused to pressure Speaker Carl Heastie, who blocks the bill from a vote. The bill passed the Senate and has City Council and mayoral support. The matter summary: 'Hochul has previously expressed support for Sammy's Law, which would allow New York City to set its speed limits below 25 miles per hour.' Amy Cohen, a mother and advocate, demanded action, showing Heastie photos of victims. Seven new Assembly members, including Yudelka Tapia, Al Taylor, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and Brian Cunningham, now back the bill, giving it majority support among NYC Assembly members. Still, the Speaker’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users exposed to speeding drivers and systemic danger.

• Hunger Strike Day 2: Gov. Hochul is ‘Sympathetic,’ But Won’t Pressure Heastie on Sammy’s Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-07

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Two mothers starve for justice. Their children killed by reckless drivers. They demand lawmakers let New York City set its own speed limits. The Assembly stalls. Grief and anger fill the halls. No more excuses. They want action. Now.

On June 6, 2023, two mothers began a hunger strike at the State Capitol, demanding action on Sammy’s Law. The bill, first introduced in 2020 by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and carried in the Assembly by Linda Rosenthal, would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. The City Council backed the measure with a 'home rule' message last month. But Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has not brought it to a vote. The matter title: 'Sammy’s Law.' Amy Cohen, whose son Sammy was killed in 2013, and Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, whose son Bryan was killed in 2006, lead the protest. Mendieta-Cuapio says, 'We need to pass Sammy's Law today, no more excuses.' Lawmakers hide behind closed doors. The mothers refuse to let their children’s deaths be ignored.

• ‘Sammy’s Law’ Hunger Strike Begins at State Capitol, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-06

Two mothers starve for justice at the State Capitol. Their children were killed by reckless drivers. They demand lawmakers pass Sammy’s Law. The bill would let New York City set lower speed limits. Assembly leaders stall. Grief meets gridlock.

On June 6, 2023, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and advocates launched a hunger strike at the State Capitol for Sammy’s Law. The bill, introduced by Hoylman-Sigal and carried in the Assembly by Linda Rosenthal, would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. The official summary states it 'would authorize NYC to set speed limits below 25 mph but would not automatically change them.' Amy Cohen and Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, mothers whose children were killed by drivers, lead the protest. Despite majority City Council support and a home rule message, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refuses to bring the bill to a vote. Advocates accuse lawmakers of hiding and demand transparency. The hunger strike exposes the human cost of legislative inaction.

• ‘Sammy’s Law’ Hunger Strike Begins at State Capitol, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-06-06

Families for Safe Streets rallied outside Speaker Heastie’s office. They demanded action on Sammy’s Law. The bill would let New York City set its own speed limits. Lawmakers dodged a vote. Grief and anger filled the air. The Assembly stayed silent.

On June 5, 2023, supporters of Sammy’s Law gathered outside Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s Bronx office. The bill, which would grant New York City local control over its speed limits, remains stalled in the Assembly. The rally, led by Families for Safe Streets, called out lawmakers for refusing to bring the measure to a vote. Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, a leading advocate, criticized the lack of transparency: 'We are demanding that the Speaker bring this to a vote.' Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz voiced strong support, but others, like Chantel Jackson, hesitated, citing constituent feedback. The bill’s matter summary states it would not mandate lower limits but allow the city to decide. The legislative process left families of crash victims frustrated and angry. The Assembly’s inaction keeps city streets dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Supporters of Sammy’s Law Rally Heastie and Share Frustrations About Assembly’s Inaction on Speed Limit Reduction, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-05

Advocates starved in Albany. The Assembly stalled Sammy’s Law. The bill would let New York City lower speed limits. Children die. Pedestrians bleed. Lawmakers delay. Support is broad. The Assembly blocks action. Hunger sharpens the call for safety and control.

On June 5, 2023, advocates began a hunger strike in Albany, demanding action on Sammy’s Law. The bill, named after Sammy Cohen Eckstein, would let New York City set its own speed limits, dropping them from 25 to 20 mph. The measure passed the Senate and has broad support, including from Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and a City Council supermajority. But the Assembly, led by Speaker Carl Heastie, has not brought it to a vote. Amy Cohen of Families for Safe Streets said, 'It shouldn’t be a deadly act to walk our streets.' Andrea Stewart-Cousins is mentioned in the advocacy. The bill’s summary states it would allow NYC to lower speed limits. Advocates demand transparency and urgency, citing lives lost and strong public support. The Assembly’s inaction blocks a proven, life-saving measure for vulnerable road users.

• Advocates set to go on hunger strike in Albany as State Assembly dithers on Sammy’s Law allowing NYC to lower speed limits, amny.com, Published 2023-06-05

A 2017 Toyota sedan overturned while traveling north on Hutchinson River Parkway. Two young passengers, ages 2 and 10, were injured and left in shock. Both were restrained. The crash caused serious vehicle damage and left occupants shaken.

According to the police report, a 2017 Toyota sedan overturned on Hutchinson River Parkway while going straight ahead. The vehicle had five occupants. Two passengers, a 2-year-old and a 10-year-old boy, were injured and experienced shock. Both were restrained with a child restraint and a harness, respectively. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The point of impact and vehicle damage were both described as overturned. No ejections occurred. The injuries to the young passengers were recorded as unknown severity but serious enough to cause shock. The report does not specify any pedestrian involvement or other vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636276 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

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 2023-06-01

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 2023-05-31

Senate backs S 6802. Albany gets school speed cameras. One no vote. Cameras aim to slow drivers near kids. Program ends 2028. Lawmakers move to shield children from reckless speed.

Senate bill S 6802, introduced by Neil D. Breslin, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Albany. The bill passed committee on May 30, 2023, with only one senator, Andrew J. Lanza, voting no. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2028.' Breslin led sponsorship. Seventeen senators voted yes. The program targets driver speed near schools, aiming to protect children and other vulnerable road users. The law sunsets at the end of 2028.

• File S 6802, Open States, Published 2023-05-30

Senate backs S 6802. Albany gets school speed cameras. One no vote. Cameras aim to slow drivers near kids. Program ends 2028. Lawmakers move to shield children from reckless speed.

Senate bill S 6802, introduced by Neil D. Breslin, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Albany. The bill passed committee on May 30, 2023, with only one senator, Andrew J. Lanza, voting no. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2028.' Breslin led sponsorship. Seventeen senators voted yes. The program targets driver speed near schools, aiming to protect children and other vulnerable road users. The law sunsets at the end of 2028.

• File S 6802, Open States, Published 2023-05-30

A Razor e-scooter struck a Honda SUV on Boston Road. Two riders flew from the scooter. A 28-year-old woman landed hard, her face torn open. Blood pooled as cars rolled by. Three SUV occupants also suffered injuries. Traffic control ignored.

A Razor e-scooter crashed into the side of a Honda SUV on Boston Road. Two people on the e-scooter were ejected. A 28-year-old woman, riding as a passenger, suffered severe facial lacerations and was thrown across the seat. According to the police report, 'A Razor e-scooter slammed into the side of a Honda SUV. A 28-year-old woman, unbelted, was thrown across the seat. Her face split open. She lay conscious, bleeding, as traffic rolled past.' Three SUV occupants, ages 20, 43, and 73, also reported injuries. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No helmet or signal use is cited as a factor. The crash left multiple people hurt, with systemic failures at play.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4631072 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two sedans crashed on Boston Road. One driver turned wrong. A 22-year-old woman in the front seat was hurt. She stayed conscious. Metal crumpled. The street stayed loud and cold.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Boston Road near Conner Street in the Bronx at 11:30 p.m. One sedan was heading south, going straight. The other, heading north, changed lanes and turned improperly. The crash injured a 22-year-old female front passenger in the northbound sedan. She suffered abrasions to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and not ejected. Both vehicles took damage to their front quarter panels. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as the driver error. No other contributing factors or victim errors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

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

A BMW SUV traveling east struck the right front bumper of a Lincoln sedan backing up on East 229 Street in the Bronx. The sedan’s driver, a 47-year-old man, suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury. Both vehicles sustained damage at impact points.

According to the police report, a 2004 BMW SUV traveling straight ahead eastbound collided with a 2011 Lincoln sedan that was backing up. The point of impact was the SUV’s left rear quarter panel striking the sedan’s right front bumper. The sedan’s driver, a 47-year-old man, was injured with internal complaints and upper arm and shoulder injuries. Both drivers were licensed. The report lists "Other Vehicular" as the contributing factor for both vehicles, indicating driver error related to vehicle operation. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629061 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09