One Year After $5M Promise, Downtown Brooklyn Safety Fixes Are Nowhere
The death of 8-year-old Alexander Toulouse on Saturday has re-focused public attention on the dangerous streets of downtown Brooklyn. Toulouse was killed by a turning postal van at the intersection of Boerum Place and Livingston Street while riding his bike with his father.
The intersection where Alexander died is
exceedingly hazardous. CrashStat shows that 28 pedestrians and 11
cyclists were struck there between 1995 and 2005. Last August, at the
unveiling of a mural in memory of three children killed by cars (right), the city promised to make good on $5 million in traffic calming improvements for the area,
though not at the specific intersection where Saturday's crash
occurred. One year later, not a single shovel has gone in the ground.
DOT spokesman Seth Solomonow says that the contract for the improvements was awarded in May by the Department of Design and Construction and work should begin this calendar year. DDC is the city agency charged with building DOT's capital projects. Solomonow attributes the lag to "slow-going through the budgetary process." (Also note that last year's promise followed a 2004 pledge by then-commissioner Iris Weinshall for $4 million in improvements, which were supposed to get built by 2006.)
The glacial pace of progress raises the question: What good are pledges of "not
one more death" from DOT if the city agencies that actually build and
finance capital improvements -- DDC and the Office of Management and Budget, respectively -- don't sign on
as well?
Another question: How deep is NYPD's commitment to traffic safety? Their public information office apparently follows a policy of divulging as little about traffic deaths as possible. When Streetsblog called to see if NYPD possessed any information to buttress witness accounts in the Daily News of the crash, a spokesperson
provided nothing, saying that accident reports are not even given to victims' families.
Alexander Toulouse's family released a statement soon after the crash:
Zander was a very popular little boy at his schooland the neighborhood where he was known for being polite and verysmart. He loved subways and ‘Dancing with the Stars’. He was a joy tohis parents who are utterly devastated by their loss.
Photo: Aaron Naparstek
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
Justice Dept., Citing Streetsblog Reporting, Threatens to Sue NYPD Over Cops’ Sidewalk Parking
The city is now facing a major civil rights suit from the Biden Administration if it doesn't eliminate illegal parking by cops and other city workers.
What to Say When Someone Claims ‘No One Bikes or Walks in Bad Weather’
Yes, sustainable modes are more vulnerable to bad weather. But that's why we should invest more in them — not less.
NYC Transit’s New Operations Planning Chief Wants To Fight ‘Ghost Buses’
One-time transit advocate and current MTA Paratransit VP Chris Pangilinan will oversee bus and subway operations for the whole city.
Friday’s Headlines: Gimme Bus Shelter Edition
The days of the Landmarks Preservation Commission reviewing every proposed bus shelter in landmarked districts may be no more. Plus more news.
Deal Reached: Hochul Says ‘Sammy’s Law’ Will Pass
The bill, though imperfect, has been four years in the making.
