Councilman And Comptroller Team Up To Win Reimbursements For Neighbors Who Received DOT-Related Damage

Councilman Chaim Deutsch and City Comptroller Scott Stringer hit Midwood’s street on Friday to tout a handful of city reimbursements to neighbors for damage to their vehicles caused by Department of Transportaiton roadwork, and to raise awareness of victim assistance programs.

The duo held a press conference on Ocean Avenue and Avenue M, near where 11 cars had their tires ripped open or their rims damaged after a manhole became exposed during regular paving and milling work in November. The victims received up to $5,000 each for the damage their vehicles received following a settlement won through the comptroller’s office.

Complaints about the damage were received by Deutch and his Council colleague Jumaane Williams, and the pair began shepherding victims through the little-known process by which residents can be reimbursed for damage to their property caused by city work.

“Sometimes it takes a bumpy road to show that government can be responsive to its constituents. Today is an example of how we can work together to produce results,” said Comptroller Scott Stringer in a press release. “I want to thank Councilmember Deutsch and Councilmember Williams for working collaboratively with my office to ensure the swift processing of these tire damage claims. With his office’s help, residents submitted the proper information within the required time period, and my claims processing bureau was able to reimburse all parties as quickly as possible. Today, all claimants who incurred damages due to the roadwork on Ocean Avenue have been reimbursed or have received an offer.”

The pols said the announcement was about letting neighbors know about such programs, including another that helps secure financial compensation for the victims of crime.

In December, more than 40 cars were vandalized in Midwood during a one-night tire-slashing spree near Quentin Road, Avenue S, East 17th Street and Bedford Avenue. Deutsch said he worked with New York State Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin, who was also at the press conference, to obtain compensation for 10 victims of that crime. Those victims had to meet the criteria of being younger than 18, older than 60 or disabled. More information about reimbursement for victims of a crime can be found here.