Extra Police to Patrol Public Schools to Protect Schoolchildren's Pedestrian Safety

     Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the NYPD will expand its traffic enforcement against reckless, aggressive, and distracted driving, with a special focus on violations that endanger child pedestrians, as New York City public schools prepare to welcome students back on Monday.

    “Our children are our most precious resource. As the city has been working tirelessly to ensure that classrooms are ready for their safe return, the NYPD is committed to making sure our roadways are safe for the return of all of our city’s students,” said NYPD Chief of Transportation Kim Royster. “This citywide enforcement initiative will be focused on holding accountable drivers that speed: and drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians and cyclists.”

    Mayor de Blasio also again urged state lawmakers to allow 24/7 operation of the city’s speed cameras, which are currently forbidden from operating overnight, when many fatal accidents occur.

    With more than 1,400 speed cameras spread throughout 750 school zones, New York City’s speed camera program leads the nation. 

     “New York City schools have the most rigorous COVID-19 safety protocols in the country, but our mission isn’t complete until all facilities are safe from traffic violence, too,” said the mayor. “Thanks to the tireless public servants at DOT and NYPD, our schools will be safer than ever this year. Now it’s time to take the next step: Albany must allow us to operate our speed cameras overnight and hold dangerous drivers accountable, no matter when they break the law.”