Citibike to Present Its CB6 Locations on Thursday

The Community Board Six Transportation & Public Safety Committee will meet on Thursday evening at 6:30pm at the P.S. 58 auditorium. Items on the agenda include:

• Presentation and discussion with representatives of the Kings County District Attorney's Frauds Bureau and Police Department on the prevention and reporting of debit/credit card and ID theft.
• Rescheduled update and presentation on the Department of Transportation's plans to roll-out CitiBike, the City's bike share program, to the district.
• Presentation and discussion with representatives for the Department of Transportation on a proposal to upgrade the existing Bond Street bicycle lane in the district.

The Citibike presentation is on this month's schedule after being postponed at March's meeting. The Committee expects the company to present it's final locations after conducting community outreach about station locations beginning last summer. Last fall, the Cobble Hill Association worked with CB6 to submit feedback based on local input to Citibike and the DOT about the docks slated for our neighborhood. See the results at this Thursday's meeting.

CB6 Transportation and Public Safety Committee Meeting

Thursday, May 19 at 6:30pm

P.S. 58 Auditorium 

330 Smith Street at 1st Place

Muyassar Moustapha, Owner of Oriental Pastry & Grocery, was Killed in a Crash on Atlantic

Late Sunday night Muyassar Moustapha was killed in a car crash at Atlantic Avenue and Clinton Street while returning to his store from Key Foods. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene while the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad conducted conducted its survey. Moustapha was the owner of Oriental Pastry & Grocery, a family owned staple of the Arab-American community on Atlantic Avenue for over 60 years. The tragedy shocked those who knew him well as Al Shaia told the Gothamist, "he always crossed at the light and he was always careful."

Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise to those of us who know this street's dangerous conditions well. Less than two years ago another fatal crash at Atlantic and Clinton shook the neighborhood.  Last year, as part of Mayor de Blasio's Vision Zero initiative aimed at reducing traffic deaths, the speed limit on Atlantic Avenue was reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph. Although traffic engineers assert that crashes at this slower speed have a far lower fatality rate, the new regulation has seen little enforcement and is often ignored. At night drivers will often exceed speeds of 35mph.

Year to date there have been 66 NYPD recorded traffic collisions along Cobble Hill's Atlantic Avenue border, 18 of which have occurred on, or near Clinton Street. Since the beginning of 2013 there have been a total 343 traffic crashes on Atlantic from Hicks to Court Street, resulting in 58 injuries and now, 2 deaths. Data source: NYPD motor vehicle collisions.

Bill de Blasio has promised to address the dangerous arterial roadway in his Great Streets initiative announced in March. The program sets aside $276 million dollars to install engineering improvements on four of the city's most deadly arterial roadways. Construction has already begun on Queens Boulevard with improvements to Atlantic Ave slated to begin in Community Board Five in spring of 2017. Advocates at Transportation Alternatives, which runs the People First on Atlantic campaign, laud mayor's efforts but say that the DOT should study the entire Avenue, from the bay to Queens, to propose comprehensive safety improvements. Those of us who cross Atlantic daily know safety improvements can't come too soon. While not everyone agrees with the implementation of New York's Vision Zero initiative, Charlie Sahadi states the salient point,

"I don't agree with some of the things Mayor de Blasio came up with, but if that car was driving at 25 miles per hour, this gentleman would not be dead today"
-Charlie Sahadi 

Vote for a Safer Hicks Street during Participatory Budgeting

The Participatory Budgeting process gives New Yorkers the power to decide how to spend tax dollars in our neighborhoods. Over the past three years, thousands of have given ideas, researched needs, developed proposals, and come out to vote. This year 24 different Council Members have opted in to the program. Local Councilman Brad Lander was an early supporter of this process and already funded 22 projects throughout the 39th Council district. This year, he is increasing his commitment from $1 million dollars to $1.5 million dollars. 

The Cobble Hill Association hopes some of that money comes to our area to fund a much needed street safety improvement to Hicks Streets. It would continue upon past efforts in which we worked with the Councilman and Department of Transportation to install painted curb extensions on Hicks as part of a traffic calming treatment. Those changes have increased safety but are not yet permanent. We hope to see that paint turn to concrete and need your vote to make it happen. 

Please see the project summary and voting calendar below. With your help, Cobble Hill & Carroll Gardens can give Hicks Street the safety treatment it needs.

Four Safer Intersections on Hicks Street
$300,000
Augment an existing project to make painted curb extensions permanent with concrete, at four high-crash intersections: Kane, Sackett, Union, and Summit Streets. Improve pedestrian & traffic safety.
Location: Hicks St b/w Kane & Summit Sts (Cobble Hill & Carroll Gardens)

Expo and Vote Kick-Off
Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 – 8:30 pm339 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY
Those in attendance will be able to cast their ballot at the event.

Local Voting Location

Tuesday, April 14th – Thursday, April 16

8 am – 7 pm
@ Brad Lander's District Office
456 5th Avenue, 3rd Floor, between 9th and 10th Sts

Saturday April 18
10 am – 6 pm
Carroll Gardens Library, 396 Clinton St at Union St

Sunday April 19
10 am – 6 pm
Carroll Park House, Smith St between President and Carroll Sts

Even if you are not a registered voter you can vote in the PB elections. You need either an ID, a utility bill, or some other documentation stating your address.

Councilman Brad Lander & members of the CHA stand in a painted curb extension on Hicks Street

Hicks Safety Fix

The Cobble Hill Association has been working in tandem with the NYC Department of Transportation to blanket our neighborhood with small, but significant street enhancements over the last few years. These additions improve pedestrian quality of life and make our area safer for all road users. Recently, State Senator Daniel Squadron announced another small step forward  along the lines - a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) at Hicks and Atlantic. This change will give pedestrians an extra few seconds to cross before turning cars get the green light and will reduce potentially dangerous conflicts between those on two feet and those behind the wheel.

See Senator Squadron's press release link below for further details.
http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/squadron-announces-safety-measures-two-busy-intersections

76th Precinct's Community Council Meeting - 9/9

Several residents in the community brought up traffic safety concerns after a serious collision in our neighborhood. At the intersection of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue, a livery cab jumped the curb and injured a young woman in front of Rite-Aid. As it was on the north side of the street, the 84th precinct is responsible for handling the investigation. However, residents should know street safety is very much a concern of our own local 76th precinct, run by Captain Lenz.

Recently, the CHA met with Captain Lenz to specifically discuss the mayor's Vision Zero initiative. We were pleased to know street safety is very much an NYPD priority in our district and the numbers are proving effective.  When we met, we compared the numbers to last year and were pleased to see collisions in the 76th were down overall (1034 last year vs 1014 this year). For the week, serious injuries were down too (31 last year vs 27 this year). These are small, but significant improvements and NYPD keeps a close eye on such data so that trends can be seen, and new tactics can be formed, in name of keeping our streets safe for all road users.

This Tuesday, September 9th, the precinct's community council meetings will resume after a brief summer hiatus. All residents are encouraged to attend and let the officers know of any issues in the neighborhood. It is also a great way to get more information about many crime prevention programs offered by NYPD from burglary to VIN etching to identify theft and more.   

Ten stripes for safety

Cobble Hill's newest crosswalk adds predictability to our pathways

It's now been over two months since NYC's Department of Transportation implemented a much needed crosswalk on Court street (near Bergen St) at the request of the Cobble Hill Association. Pedestrians had been walking sans crosswalk for years and risking their safety along what is a very obvious desire line for those crossing Court Street. Though it has likely taken both pedestrians and drivers some time to adjust to the new changes, there is now zero confusion as to when a pedestrian has right of way and drivers are legally obligated to yield.

Before the stripes were added, pedestrians crossed without a signal or any clear pathway.

Just how well does the new set up work? Yesterday I spotted an entire family walking safely and dragging a last minute Christmas Tree purchase across this safety zone. Cars calmly waited for them to pass before making the left turn from Bergen onto Court Street. While the tree itself probably made the family visible, there is no denying the new stripes and new signal made their intended pathway entirely predictable. Predictable patterns for cars, peds, and bikes alike, help keep us all safe on the road.

Once again, many thanks to the NYC DOT for their continued involvement and willingness to listen to the Cobble Hill Association's concerns along the Court Street corridor. Most especially, on behalf of the thousands who now cross Court street much more safely, thank you to Christopher Hrones at DOT. He has been the point person hearing us out, offering input, and coordinating our requests with the agency. We look forward to working with him to achieve even more improvements on our local streets in 2014.

Eyes on Hicks Street Re-Stripings

As we announced last week, the Department of Transportation has begun some long awaited safety enhancements to Hicks Street. Fresh stripes on the ground improve crosswalks, delineate a parking lane that will soon return alternate side of the street parking to Hicks Street in the Northbound direction, and at two notoriously dangerous corners - both Kane Street & Congress Street - fresh paint marks off neckdowns that give pedestrians a bit more space and better sightlines. Stay tuned for more updates as DOT's progress continues. (and please excuse these photos being night time shots).

Hicks Street at Congress Street

Hicks Street new parking lane striping

Hicks Street at Kane Street

REMINDER: CHA meeting tonight CANCELED

REMINDER, with Hurricane Sandy moving closer and closer, tonight's Fall general meeting is CANCELED. The winds are blowing hard, trees are down throughout Brooklyn, and much of the Gowanus has already flooded so please stay inside, be alert, and be safe. MTA subway and bus service has already been shutdown tonight, and tunnels and bridges have been ordered closed as well. While we hope for the best, this is a serious storm and we must be smart in preparing for the worst.  For the latest Sandy forecasts, visit the National Weather Service or the National Hurricane Center.

CHA Going the RIGHT Way

Throughout 2012, the Cobble Hill Association has had ongoing conversations with the Department of Transportation regarding safety improvements to the Court Street corridor. Recently, one of our requests came to fruition: an improved traffic light at Amity Street.

Big & Clear, Amity Street's new Traffic Signal

All too often drivers had been disregarding the small 'All Traffic Turn Right' signage, and instead been making a dangerous left turn against traffic on Court followed by an immediate right onto Dean Street. This catches pedestrians off guard and is a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, long time civic leader Jerry Armer pushed DOT on this issue, asking they change the traffic light to more clearly direct drivers of the safer, and more legal, maneuvering.

Comparing the above pictured image with the older street view below, you can see the light now changes from red phase to a flashing yellow right turn signal, rather than full green. This more clearly directs drivers attention to the safe turn they should be making. In addition, the traffic light itself which faces drivers on Amity street is now much larger than the side facing Court street, further reinforcing the clarity of the regulation.

Amity Street signal, w/ no directional specification

We appreciate the Department of Transportation's cooperation with our requests and prompt changes to the street. Stay tuned for updates about similar requests we've made as further improvements to the streetscape come to our Court Street corridor.

Making Safer Neighborhoods

In February, NYC's premier advocacy group for walking, biking, and mass transit Transportation Alternatives, met with parents from the Cobble Hill/Columbia Waterfront/Carroll Gardens/Red Hook area to begin a study on street safety. This Wednesday night is a follow up meeting at the Carrol Gardens to have a community conversation on the project's scope as it seeks families with children ages 6 to 11 who can walk and who have a parent/guardian also able to walk.
Wednesday, April 18, 6-8 pm
Carroll Gardens Library - 396 Clinton Street at Union Street
light dinner will be served  

Those who do choose to participate will be asked to take pictures of streets and public spaces in their neighborhood and adults will also complete a short survey. Each family will receive a $25 gift card in thanks for their time, but more importantly will help advance all neighborhood's shared goals of safer streets.
 
Additional details are available on the flier above, and follow up questions, as well as an RSVP (requested, but not required) can be sent to Stephanie Kneeshaw-Price.
Phone: 646 873-6039
Email: stephanie@transalt.org

Street Study seeks Parents & Kids

Transportation Alternatives is NYC's leading advocacy group for pedestrians, cyclists, and mass transit users and they are now beginning a street study comparing Brooklyn neighborhoods... one of which will be in our own area. To gather detailed information on how we use our streets, T.A. is seeking parents for a 15-25 minute survey about themselves, their physical activity, and their neighborhood. Participating families will receive a small gift in appreciation of their time and input. Full details are available by clicking on the  adjacent flyer or contacting Stephanie Kneeshaw-Price, stephanie@transalt.org.

Safer routes to Brooklyn Bridge Park/Pier 6

Councilman Brad Lander is renewing his efforts to make the Department of Transportation address the immense dangers in accessing our waterfront park at Pier 6 with a new online petition. It just takes a few seconds to sign, and will go a long way to keeping the issue on DOT's radar so that hopefully it can be addressed BEFORE the warm weather ushers in new visitors to harm's way as they head to the park.

As we saw last year after the new park opened, the current routes along Atlantic Avenue and Columbia Streets, past the entrances to the BQE, are just too dangerous. With spring upon us, we need some adjustments (e.g. a new traffic light at Congress and Columbia) soon.

Please sign Brad Lander's petition calling on the NYC Department of Transportation to make routes to Pier 6 of Brooklyn Bridge Park safer for pedestrians, and pass it along, if so inspired.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/2777/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3735

Safety Improvements?

For weeks the Cobble Hill Association has been vocal about the need for dramatic safety improvements to the Columbia/Furman/Atlantic intersection that provides access to the the newly opened Pier 6 waterfront park.  The Dept of Transportation heard our concerns shared amongst many civic groups and electeds officials in the area and agreed to make short term changes and plan long term improvements.

Our friends at the Brooklyn Heights Blog caught a sight of this sign, one of the short term changes that should tame traffic and remind drivers they need to yield to pedestrians and cyclists.  But they also noticed driving behavior has remained the same. And realistically, does the 'NEW' text go far enough at all? The driving laws of NYC already require

• When making a turn, yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk;
• At a red light or STOP sign, come to complete stop before you get to the crosswalk;
• Violation of these laws could cost you a $100 fine and 3 points on your license.

New York City already leads the nation in the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes and sadly over one-half of pedestrian fatalities occur at intersections with traffic signals. Perhaps this  cautionary message simply gets lost amongst the half dozen other signs posted. Bigger, bolder changes like visually bold textures or raised crosswalks are needed in the street, coupled with neckdowns on the sidewalks to shorten crossing distances.

The Cobble Hill Association remains committed to having a safe approach to our neighborhood's waterfront. We encourage all residents to contact Community Board 6 and area councilman Brad Lander about this problematic intersection. And if you have ideas or specific concerns you'd like to share with us, drop us a line at cha@cobblehillassociation.org.

next precinct council meeting: April 7

The 76th Precinct Council continues to meet on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. at the 76th Precinct. The Precinct Council is a great opportunity for everyone to contribute to public safety by discussing matters of local concern with the officers of the precinct. Whenever I have met with anyone from the 76th, I have always come away feeling like they listened very attentively to my concerns and I learned something valuable from the encounter.

We encourage everyone in the community to attend a precinct council meeting and to get to know the men and women who keep our neighborhood safe. We are all partners in public saftey.

WHAT: 76th Precinct Council meeting
WHERE: 76th Precinct, 191 Union Street
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7 at 7.30 (and every first Tuesday)

get involved: police precinct council meetings

At our recent meeting with Deputy Inspector Michael Kemper, the commanding officer of the 76th Precinct, and other officers about public safety issues, we all thought it would be a good idea to remind the public that the 76th holds monthly Precinct Council meetings on the first Tuesday of every month.

I have attended meetings in the past, and I can tell you that these are information- and dialogue-rich occasions when the public and the police can share knowledge and concerns. Did you know that the police provide a free service of visiting people's homes to tell them what measures they can take to minimize the likelihood of burglary? It's true. Find out more by attending a meeting.

The next three meetings will be on these dates at the precinct house, 191 Union Street, at 7.30 p.m.:

January 6
February 3
March 3.