Speed Cameras Will Turn Back On In Time for School Year
A month after speed cameras shut down across New York, a deal to turn them back on has been brokered between the City Council, the Mayor and the Governor—just in time for students to return to school.
Council Speaker Corey Johnson said over the weekend that the Mayor would help expedite a City Council bill to start the issuing of tickets, while the Governor would let the city access DMV records of those caught speeding.
State Senate Republicans refused to renew New York City’s speed camera program, so @NYGovCuomo, @NYCSpeakerCoJo and I will take action. I will be signing a city law to take back control of our speed cameras and protect 1.1 million kids on the first day of school.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 27, 2018
Earlier this summer, the State Senate failed to pass legislation to continue the speed camera program, which led to outcry from residents, transit activists and local politicians. In Brooklyn, much of the ire was focused on State Senator Marty Golden, prompting protests outside his Bay Ridge office.
Local politicians and transit activists took to Twitter to express their appreciation for the move, which has dominated local politics during the summer:
In the face of the New York State Senate Majority’s inaction, inertia, and ineptitude, @NYCSpeakerCoJo stepped up big time to bring city and state leaders together to find a path forward on critically needed speed cams near schools. Kudos, Mr. Speaker!
— Mark Treyger (@MarkTreyger718) August 27, 2018
. @NYCSpeakerCoJo: this will save lives but it is not a substitute for the senate doing their jobs…The council is acting, the governor is acting, the mayor acting…but the fight isn’t over. @TransAlt @NYC_SafeStreets pic.twitter.com/j3D1VykliU
— Thomas DeVito (@PedestrianTom) August 27, 2018