Brooklyn, NY – Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) met today with New York City Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner David Wallach about the recent installation of pedestrian islands along Fort Hamilton Parkway. The meeting took place at the contested site, where Hikind was able to demonstrate to the Deputy Commissioner the extreme dangers the islands pose to first responders, firefighters and sanitation workers, as well as the frustration of business owners and motorists.
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Since the installation of the islands, firefighters have reported that their response time has been slowed, while the ability of ambulance companies to swiftly reach Maimonides Medical Center has also been negatively impacted. At the Community Board 12 meeting last week, Hikind relayed an incident where a patient in cardiac arrest, who was being transported to Maimonides, died en route to the hospital after traffic was snarled because of the pedestrian islands.
“Did DOT consult with the people who live and work in this community before installing these islands?” Hikind asked Mr. Wallach. “Did you take into consideration that Maimonides is one of the busiest hospitals in New York City, with dozens of ambulance companies shuttling patients to the emergency room, where every second counts?” Hikind also asked Deputy Commissioner Wallach what criteria the DOT used in selecting the four blocks along Fort Hamilton Parkway where the pedestrian islands were installed.
Of the ongoing battle to remove the islands, Hikind said, “The fight is not over. But at least now, the DOT is listening to our concerns. If the community is as determined as I am to fight this, then with God’s help, we will be successful in getting these islands removed.”
Deputy Commissioner Wallach promised to convey Hikind’s questions and remarks to his superiors and report back to the Assemblyman. The DOT has previously defended the installation of the islands, claiming they were necessary to improve senior safety.
Assemblyman Dov Hikind is real and hard working person for his community,
We need many people like him in office, if the community is as determined as I am to fight this, then with God’s help, we will be successful in getting these islands removed.” Strong statement!! God bless him and his family…
We the Williamsburg community need a person like him fighting what is right for his people who elected him,
Being a powerful man using his power to help his community that’s a big plus especially the Orthodox community…
I’m afraid it’s of no use, because Wallach’s boss is a fanatic. Anyway thanks Dov for being there for your community. Always liked you, always will.
Even tho Dov does not “belong” on our side of boro park, he is always there to help us. He’s like the ” Totty” of the yidden who need help. Thanks Dov. May Hshem guide you in every aspect.
Dov, don’t listen to all the negative remarks. They’re all jealous! You’re the best. You’re the ONLY one who gives a darn!
Forget the accolades & the attacks. I was driving along Ft Hamilton today & an ambulance with lights & sirens had a hard time getting through. I go along Ft Hamilton (both directions) regularly & it’s definitely a problem for first responders (regular traffic seems to be OK.)
They just can’t by-pass traffic because there’s nowhere for them to pull over to get past. What’s more, cars can’t pull to the side to let them through…there are too many parked vehicles. And what about deliveries to local stores?
When I was driving past during construction, even I, with no knowledge about traffic patterns, could see this was going to be a disaster. How stupid could the DOT have been to do this by a hospital, and on a major truck route to one of our bridges? Are they so out-of-touch, or as another poster implied, they’re so terrified of Mike the Bully?
I thought the islands were supoosed to have been removed!! somebody died ???? What are they waiting for??
I applaude Dov Hikind for his efforts. Why hasn’t the DOT Commissioner come to BP and see for herself the mess she and her department have created? Lives are at risk here…wake up Madam Commissioner!