BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP APRIL 13 - APRIL 19, 2018 15
SAFETY ON OUR STREETS
While the debate and discussions
around gun control laws
continue on the state and federal
level, a similarly dire issue
on the local level continues
to take lives—the
senseless deaths of
pedestrians and
cyclists.
I know this issue.
When I became chair
of the Assembly’s
Codes Committee,
traffic safety was
one of the first
issues I addressed.
At that time, multiple suspensions
for traffi c infractions were just
violations subject to fines, not
jail, whether you had one or 1,000
violations.
I sponsored and with my colleagues
BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER
JOSEPH LENTOL
passed legislation to criminalize
multiple suspensions. That
bill became law. We have passed
legislation allowing for the use of
speed cameras in New York City;
followed by legislation to lower
New York City’s speed limit.
The recent tragedies that led
to the death of 13-year-old Kevin
Flores and weeks later four-yearold
Abigail Blumenstein and oneyear
old Joshua Lew have shined
a light on the continuing problem
of dangerous and irresponsible
drivers.
Let there be no doubt that my
colleagues and I in the state legislature
want drivers with a pattern
of dangerous driving to be held
accountable for their actions under
New York State law.
Our work to protect New Yorkers
has not ended. Right now, bills
have been introduced to punish
reckless drivers and aft er these
terrible deaths, more will come.
I am the sponsor of more than
one of those bills, one in particular
would target repeat traffi c law
off enders by making it a felony
for a lesser number of
suspensions. I craft -
ed this legislation
in direct response
to Kevin Flores’s
death.
Another Assembly
bill would
suspend a driver’s
license aft er two
speed camera
violations for
speeding in a
school zone, which is currently
under review in the Assembly’s
Transportation Committee.
Finally, the most recent bill introduction
amends requirements
on how doctors report certain
illnesses to the New York State
Department of Motor Vehicles.
Aside from fi xes to the law, some
of the most important safety measures
must be achieved through
comprehensive street design at
dangerous intersections.
We must all remember that
driving is a privilege and must be
treated as such. A car can be just
as dangerous a weapon as a gun, so
we must ensure that drivers recognize
the importance of driving
safely and responsibly.
We need more driver education
and we must start young. It has
worked with teaching kids that
impaired driving is always a crime.
Together, through legislation, improved
street design and education
we can protect our children, family,
and friends.
Assemblymember Joseph Lentol
represents the 50th Assembly District
in North Brooklyn, encompassing
Greenpoint, Williamsburg and
Fort Greene.
BK SNAPS
FROM FRED COZZOLINO’S GARDEN.
Photo by Anthony Cozzolino
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STORY: Remaining portion of Green Church site up for sale as development
property
SUMMARY: Nearly 10 years aft er Bay Ridge’s beloved “Green Church” was
demolished, the portion of the property saved by the congregation to build a
new sanctuary is up for sale as a “development site.” A sign advertising the
property was posted at the end of March on the fence in front of the 7,920-squarefoot
construction site at 364 Ovington Avenue, just off Fourth Avenue. Beyond
is evidence of construction begun, with steel beams rising vertically near a
masonry structure; ground was broken for the new sanctuary in December,
2015. Our readers were quick to react to the news of the sale, which, according
to sources, comes with a pricetag of $5.9 million.
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