Residents call East 89th St. 'neighborhood racetrack', demand city support with speed bumps
The East 89th Street Block Association started a petition last month, pushing for speed bump and city advocacy, but their effort hit a snag when discussed at community board meetings.
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Concerned residents at the corner of East 89th Street and Avenue J say their once-quiet street is now becoming a “neighborhood racetrack" and a "growing threat" in the neighborhood.
"They just start zooming as if there was a checkered flag down there," said Julius Stukes Jr., a member of Community Board 18, gesturing to the corner of East 89th Street and J Avenue.
The East 89th Street Block Association started a petition last month, pushing for speed bump and city advocacy, but their effort hit a snag when discussed at community board meetings.
"Our block doesn't have a school or church on it," explained Jessica Ricketts, Secretary of the East 89th Street Block Association. "They also told us that they'd have to come and see if it's actually needed on this block and run some tests."
Residents point to recent safety concerns as a reason for urgency. Two car crashes at J and Flatbush Avenue in September alone, coupled with an 18% rise in traffic accidents borough-wide since last year, now have them demanding action.
"We have a lot of young people on this block, kids coming back and forth from school, seniors going in and out - I don't want to see anyone get hurt," said Denise Simmons, vice president of the East 89th Street Block Association.
The Block Association says it will continue fighting for traffic safety until the needs of their neighborhood are met.
The New York City Department of Transportation tells News 12 that "[it] would review any requests for traffic calming for the street."
