Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn was an investigative reporter at Streetsblog from 2021 to 2024. His series on the black market for temporary license plates led to enacted or proposed laws in three states and won the George Polk Award. The series was also a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. His work has also received awards from IRE, the Overseas Press Club Foundation, the Sidney Hillman Foundation, the Deadline Club, the Sigma Awards, and the Silurians Press Club.
New Jersey Rolls Out New Temporary License Plates to Fight Black Market Exposed by Streetsblog
The state released few details about the new temporary tags, but noted they'll be reformatted and printed on different paper to "prevent and reduce fraud."
Legislation Introduced in Georgia to Fight Temporary License Plate Fraud
The bill is the most significant effort yet to stop the flow of fraudulent paper tags from Georgia car dealerships to New York City streets.
No License Plates? No Problem! Scofflaw Drivers Remove Tags Yet Rarely Get Caught
Cars without license plates are everywhere in New York City, but the Adams administration is failing to crack down on them, allowing tens of thousands of drivers to dodge accountability in the city each year.
New Jersey Lawmakers Pass Major Reforms to Combat Temporary License Plate Fraud
The vote follows a Streetsblog investigation that uncovered widespread misuse of the state's temporary license plates, with car dealers selling the tags illegally to drivers using them to avoid accountability on the road.
Dozens of Car Dealers Shut Down for Temporary License Plate Fraud Following Streetsblog Investigation
And seven dealerships identified by Streetsblog as possible temp tag sellers are now under criminal investigation, officials said.
Top NJ Lawmaker Proposes Major Reforms to Fight Temporary License Plate Fraud
The new legislation follows a seven-month Streetsblog investigation that found widespread fraud involving temp tags, with car dealers abusing weak state regulations and selling paper plates illegally to drivers using them to evade accountability on the road.
City Hall Functionary is Quietly Interfering with Critical Street Safety Initiatives: Sources
"He only was going to raise the concerns that you’re going to hear from car drivers," one official said. "He’s never been on the pro-pedestrianization, pro-bike-lane side.”
Adams Dismisses Bus, Bike Lane Mile Requirements At DOT Meeting
The Adams Doctrine on safe streets has become clear. And, yes, it involves a metaphor of drowning rats.
Three NYC Asphalt Trucks Exploded Last Spring, Raising Safety, Environmental Concerns: Records
The explosions raise questions about the city's decision to use a paving material that other cities have phased out because of safety and environmental risks, an official said.
Dump Truck Driver Kills School Crossing Guard in Queens
A right-turning dump truck driver struck and killed a school crossing guard at the corner of two of the city's deadliest roads on Friday morning, police said.