Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley points to an example of signs her bill would require within five blocks of police precincts in the city. Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Crowley's Office.
Community leaders could get their wish and have signs pointing toward local police precincts.
Following a call from Community Board 5 in December, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley introduced legislation on March 14 to make the Department of Transportation (DOT) install the signs.
The idea was floated as new business at CB 5’s December meeting. While members were talking about bike lanes and traffic signs, they decided to ask local legislators to get signs for the 104th Precinct, which is tucked away at 64-2 Catalpa Ave. in Ridgewood.
Crowley’s bill would require signs pointing to the precinct at prominent locations within a five-block radius.
On Thursday, March 15, Crowley announced her bill to the public at a press conference in Ridgewood.
“Every resident should be able to easily find their local police precinct, and being unable to do so poses a serious public safety risk,” said Crowley. “The DOT already installs many directional signs. Adding signage for police precincts should be a no-brainer.”
Councilwoman Diana Reyna, a cosponsor of the bill, was there to back the initiative.
“Just as we indicate to the public where local hospitals are located, so should we inform the public where their local police precincts are located,” said Reyna, echoing some of the logic raised at the CB 5 meeting. “This legislation addresses an essential public safety issue by providing greater access to information about law enforcement.”
The bill is currently in the council’s transportation committee and has 21 sponsors and if passed, would go into affect 90 days later.
It also drew support from statewide politicians such as Assemblyman Mike Miller and State Senator Joe Addabbo who represent the area within CB 5.
“Such signage is essential to everyone’s safety and well-being,” Addabbo said in a statement. “It’s important that all members of the community are aware of the police precinct’s location, just as they can follow the signs to locate their local hospitals.”
By Jeremiah Dobruck
j.dobruck@theforumnewsgroup.com
