Bob Holden wants the city and state to crack down on insurance fraud. The Streetsblog Photoshop Desk
Streetsblog provides high-quality journalism and analysis for free — which is something to be celebrated in an era of paywalls. Once a year, we ask for your tax-deductible donations to support our reporters and editors as they advance the movement to end car dependency in our communities.
If you already support our work, thank you! If not, can we ask for your help?This year’s fundraiser includes a special gift for our biggest supporters. Don’t miss out.
Together, we can create a more livable, walkable, bikeable, equitable and enjoyable city for all. Happy holidays from the Streetsblog team!
But we’ve also cheered the lawmaker in those fewer instances whenhe’sbeenright on livable streets issues. Today, we’re in the cheering section. A few days ago, we published a great story about the tens of thousands of drivers who are committing “garage fraud” by registering their cars out of state even though they clearly live in New York. That story gave a hat-tip to Holden, who has been working on this issue.
Well, on Monday, Holden’s office got in touch with us to tout the Council member’s latest effort to reduce this form of fraud: He and his successor-elect, Phil Wong, just wrote a letter to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Finance Department Commissioner Preston Niblack begging the city to get involved.
“Garaging fraud places an unfair burden on compliant drivers and contributes to rising insurance costs across New York City,” the pair wrote, adding that out-of-state-registered cars keep showing up in city records through “parking enforcement, camera violations, tolling data, and traffic stops.”
Holden and his successor called on both officials to dig into the data (as we did earlier this month) and, more important, let the pols know of “any statutory, operational, or resource barriers that limit enforcement or follow-up on suspected garaging fraud cases.”
So here’s to Bob Holden for going out with class (well, not entirely!) on a legitimate public safety issue. Counter that with Mayor Adams, who has spent the last two months of his administration as an increasingly embittered jet-setter. Yesterday, he was flat-out bizarre:
In what may be his final mayoral press conference, Eric Adams says his next act will involve "using cryptocurrency to go after violence, educate our children and deal with antisemitism."
It’s customary during our December Donation Drive to honor those of you who gave us kind contributions in order that we might keep on the lights. So without any ado, thanks, Julia! Thanks, Jonathan! And thanks, David! Anyone else want to give? Click here. And thank you!
Kudos to the Times for crediting Streetsblog for our big scoop yesterday that Mayor Mamdani will be sworn in at midnight on Thursday in the abandoned subway station under City Hall. (The Post and amNY did not credit us.)
Our other big scoop yesterday was how Mayor-elect Mamdani just appointed a recidivist bus lane blocker to help minority and women-owned businesses — though most outlets stuck to just regurgitating the press release. (NYDN, NY Post, amNY)
More people are upset at people — or state and city governments — that don’t shovel the sidewalk. (Gothamist)
Citi Bike is partly blaming President Trump’s tariffs for the latest fare increase that kicks in on Jan. 5. (Gothamist, amNY)
Here’s some good advice: Don’t livestream on TikTok while you’re driving. In fact, don’t do anything but concentrate fully when you’re driving. (NY Times)
Listen to one of Zohran Mamdani’s right-hand men talk about the incoming mayor. (The Dig)
The Post is an old man shaking his fist at a cloud. But now, the Paper of Wreckage is shaking its fist at an old man … beating the new fare gates.
We don’t usually print fake news, but this one seems almost plausible, especially at night. (The Onion)
Tabloid legend Gersh Kuntzman has been with New York newspapers since 1989, including stints at the New York Daily News, the Post, the Brooklyn Paper and even a cup of coffee with the Times. He's also the writer and producer of "Murder at the Food Coop," which was a hit at the NYC Fringe Festival in 2016, and “SUV: The Musical” in 2007. He also writes the Cycle of Rage column, which is archived here.
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani's latest proposal extends the proposed 31st Street bike lane to cover the entire length of Astoria — a concept he first backed in 2023.
