Assemblyman Goldfeder Urges NYC Department of Transportation to Upgrade Lighting Near St. Helen’s School in Howard Beach

January 17, 2012

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder tours St. Helen’s school with Principal Kathleen Bollinger

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D- Howard Beach) sent a letter to Queens Borough Commissioner of Transportation, Maura McCarthy urging her to take immediate action to fix the inadequate street lighting behind the St. Helen’s school in Howard Beach.

“A portion of the grounds behind St. Helen’s, including the bike path, significantly lacks street lighting,” Goldfeder said. “After personally visiting the area, I am very concerned for the safety of students, pedestrians and cyclists who may use the area after dark.”

Following a robbery of dozens of computers that occurred on school grounds, the school installed increased lighting on their building. But Goldfeder argues this public-safety issue is a responsibility that shouldn’t fall solely on the school and needs the attention of the Department of Transportation for further action.

“I applaud St. Helen’s for installing more lights and thank Principal Bollinger for her quick attention to this matter,” Goldfeder said. “Now the city needs to take a proactive approach to make safety a top priority at this location.”

In his letter, Goldfeder urged the commissioner to erect lights along the Belt Parkway Eastbound, providing more light to the bike path and a safer environment behind St. Helen’s.

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