Brooklyn, NY – Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon released the following statement today, the day before school speed safety cameras throughout New York City would go dark:

“We must do more to ensure that kids are safe on city streets and throughout the state. The Assembly has passed legislation that I cosponsor that would improve street safety by re-authorizing and expanding speed safety cameras near schools (A07798 Glick). However, the Senate leadership refused to act and pass this commonsense life-saving bill before the end of session. Instead, the Senate has instead proposed odd and less effective alternatives, including a temporary continuation of the cameras followed by funding for stop signs, and attempts to link the cameras to armed security guards at schools.

The data clearly shows that speed cameras drastically reduce speeding and injuries in those locations and are a highly effective approach to street safety. If this legislation to re-authorize the use of the cameras is not passed, the existing cameras will go dark tomorrow. Only 140 of the city’s 2,000 school zones currently have speed cameras. What we need right now is an expansion of this highly successful program to protect more children, not the elimination of the current cameras. Let’s not put our families' safety second.”