Councilmembers Call For Increased Safety on Coney Island Boardwalk

CONEY ISLAND – Councilmembers Mark Treyger and Chaim Deutsch have called for improved safety measures along the Coney Island Riegelmann Boardwalk after last month’s truck terror attack in lower Manhattan.

The councilmembers are calling for retractable, fortified bollards to be installed at entry points to the Boardwalk in order to restrict traffic to authorized vehicles only. Letters calling for the upgrade were sent to Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill and NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver.

“This attack has amplified the need for more precautions, including barriers, especially at our city’s densely populated and well-known tourist attractions,” said Treyger in a statement. Coney Island Boardwalk hosts more than 14 million visitors each year along its 2.51 miles of wood planks.

“As we’ve sadly seen—both in our own city and on an international level—vehicles are increasingly being used in high pedestrian traffic areas as weapons to attack the public,” Treyger said, “Our city must do everything in its power to make sure we are keeping people safe.”

Terror attacks using vehicles as weapons against pedestrians in crowded areas have been on the rise in recent years, with at least 20 incidents reported in 2017. High profile attacks like those in London and Nice, and now Tribeca, have led to increased concern for pedestrian safety.

“Retractable safety bollards would provide security on the boardwalk from the threat of vehicle attacks,” said Councilmember Deutsch, “Tragically, this is a method of attack that is growing increasingly common, and we have a duty to ensure that we are making every effort to protect residents and visitors to our city.”