Blood on the Crosswalk: South Jamaica Pays for City Hall’s Inaction

State Sen. Leroy Comrie drew a hard line. No exemptions for Manhattan’s congestion tolls. He stood firm as others called for carve-outs. His stance means every car pays. No relief for drivers. The city’s most vulnerable stay in the crosshairs.

On June 29, 2022, State Senator Leroy Comrie made a public statement on congestion pricing exemptions. The matter, covered by nypost.com, centers on calls from Mayor Eric Adams for more exemptions to the Manhattan congestion tolls. Adams argued, 'there should be a level of exemptions... so that we’re not overburdening New Yorkers.' But Comrie rejected this, stating, 'I don’t think there should be any exemptions, and I’m going to continue to say that there should be no exemptions.' The congestion pricing plan, passed in 2019, already exempts emergency vehicles, vehicles carrying disabled New Yorkers, and low-income residents inside the zone. Comrie’s stance keeps the system strict. No new carve-outs. The Traffic Mobility Review Board may still consider more, but Comrie’s position is clear: every driver pays the toll, no exceptions.

• NYC Mayor Eric Adams calls for ‘exemptions’ to Manhattan congestion fees, nypost.com, Published 2022-06-29

Two sedans crashed on 107 Avenue. One driver, 60, suffered a head injury and concussion. The impact hit the front ends of both vehicles. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor. No one was ejected from the vehicles.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 107 Avenue. The 60-year-old male driver of one sedan was injured, sustaining a head injury and concussion. The crash involved a moving vehicle striking parked cars, with damage to the front ends of both vehicles. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542265 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

An SUV turned left on Sutphin Boulevard. The bumper hit an 84-year-old woman in the crosswalk. Blood pooled. She crossed with the light. The driver kept turning. She was left injured on the street.

An 84-year-old woman was struck by a southbound SUV while crossing Sutphin Boulevard at 107th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, she was in the crosswalk and had the signal. The SUV turned left and its bumper struck her head, causing severe bleeding. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The woman suffered a head injury. The driver, an 82-year-old man, continued the turn after impact. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger faced by pedestrians, even when following the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542250 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 34-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and injured in a collision with a sedan making a U-turn on 160 Street. The rider suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The sedan struck the bike on its left side doors late at night.

According to the police report, a sedan was making an improper U-turn on 160 Street when it collided with an e-bike traveling straight north. The e-bike rider, a 34-year-old male, was ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both vehicles, along with the sedan driver's improper turning. The e-bike rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The impact occurred on the sedan's left side doors and the e-bike's front center. The sedan driver was licensed in New York; the e-bike rider was unlicensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542271 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 12-year-old boy was struck on Brewer Boulevard in Queens. The sedan hit him center front as he crossed against the signal. He suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver was licensed and driving straight north.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old pedestrian was injured after being struck by a sedan on Brewer Boulevard in Queens. The boy was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. The vehicle, a 2013 Hyundai sedan driven by a licensed female driver traveling north, hit the pedestrian at the center front end. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported in shock. The report lists the pedestrian's error and confusion as contributing factors. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were indicated. The driver was going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4541146 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A motorcyclist without a license was ejected after colliding with an SUV making a left turn on Sutphin Boulevard. The rider suffered facial abrasions. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes. The SUV carried three occupants.

According to the police report, a motorcyclist traveling north on Sutphin Boulevard collided with a station wagon/SUV making a left turn. The motorcyclist, who was unlicensed, was ejected and sustained facial abrasions. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The motorcyclist also failed in proper lane usage. The SUV, driven by a licensed female driver with three occupants, was struck on its left front quarter panel. The motorcyclist was conscious but injured. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights critical driver errors leading to serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536766 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A speeding sedan in Queens struck with force. A man in the front seat was thrown partway out. He suffered head trauma and whiplash. Driver ignored traffic control. No pedestrians or other vehicles involved.

According to the police report, a 2020 sedan traveling north in Queens crashed at 107-16 142 Street. The right front bumper took the hit. A 34-year-old man, seated in the middle front seat, was partially ejected and suffered head injuries and whiplash. He was conscious but hurt. The report lists unsafe speed and disregarding traffic control as driver errors. No pedestrians or other vehicles were involved. The passenger was not using safety equipment, but the primary causes were driver actions. The crash left the passenger injured and exposed the danger of reckless driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4534429 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

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 2022-06-02

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 2022-06-02

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

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

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 2022-05-31

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

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 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

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