Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
CHEKPEDS

NYPD Traffic Cop: “My Objective Is The Cars, Not The People”

This officer's job isn't to keep you safe, it's to keep cars moving. Photo: __ via Flickr.

The NYPD's decision to crack down on cyclists committing even the most minor infractions -- while an epidemic of deadly driving continues unabated -- should make it clear that the police department is no friend to those on two wheels right now. A report we received today from Christine Berthet, the co-founder of the Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen Coalition for Pedestrian Safety, offers evidence that the police aren't too concerned about the safety of those on two legs either:

Today at 10:30 a.m., I was waiting to cross the street at the intersection of 42nd Street and 9th Avenue.

A large construction truck was barreling west on 42nd Street where the traffic was light. The pedestrian signal turned to "walk" on the south leg. Instead of stopping the truck, the agent waved it to turn south, which it did at high speed, while the pedestrian platoon had already engaged in the crossing. People jumped back to avoid a collision but it was very close.

I approached the agent and mentioned respectfully to him that he had waved a truck at full speed into a platoon of pedestriansand that pedestrians expected to be protected by the police, to which he responded: "My objective is the cars, not the people."

This is far from an isolated instance, but still, to hear it so bluntly put and seeing it nearly kill five people in a deliberate way is shocking.

So this is what our society has come to: In New York City , the most pedestrian city in the United States, we pay the police to protect cars, not people.

As the NYPD continues its assault on bikers, it is important to highlight that they are doing a horrible job of protecting pedestrians. The car owners have successfully pitted pedestrians against bikes, we need to refocus the press and everyone on pedestrians/transit users against cars.

I'd love for Vacca and Vallone to have a hearing on that.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Spooky Stuff: On Halloween, Some Places Have Deadlier Roads Than Others

New York City hasn't proven to be that scary on the candy-filled holiday. But it's still a bad idea to mix kids, darkness and cars.

October 31, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: After the Flood Edition

Flooding that would happen once in a while now happens a few times a year. Plus other news.

October 31, 2025

Amtrak’s Penn Station Plans Assume Gateway Tunnel Will Happen Despite Trump ‘Termination’

Andy Byford's Penn Station plans assume a capacity boost from the Gateway Tunnel project that President Trump insists is "terminated."

October 30, 2025

Judge Lets Court Street Bike Lane Live … For Now

Businesses sued too late to stall the redesign, a judge said. But a wider ruling will come as soon as next month.

October 30, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Janno’s Speaking Edition

Local news outlets had a field day after MTA CEO Janno Lieber reiterated his longstanding skepticism of Zohran Mamdani's free buses platform. Plus more news.

October 30, 2025

Decision 2025: Ben Chou Hopes to Unseat Vickie Paladino on Street Safety

Chou, who grew up biking in and around the district, called out his opponent's anti-bike "fear-mongering."

October 30, 2025
See all posts