Far Left NYC Dems’ Bid to Legalize Jaywalking in New York City Sparks Heated Debate

Edited by: TJVNews.com

A proposal to legalize jaywalking in New York City has ignited a heated debate among City Council members and residents, as was reported by the New York Post,  Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse, backed by fellow far-left Democrats, has sponsored legislation that aims to allow pedestrians to freely cross streets outside of crosswalks and traffic signals. The Post report indicated that proponents argue that such a move would address bias enforcement concerns, but critics are vehemently opposing it, citing potential dangers to pedestrians and its conflict with traffic safety measures implemented through the Vision Zero initiative.

If the legislation that was proposed by Narcisse who represents the Canarsie neighborhood in Brooklyn is passed by the City Council pedestrians would be allowed to cross streets outside designated crosswalks or without obeying traffic signals. The Post reported that supporters argue that this would put an end to alleged bias enforcement against black and Latino individuals, who they claim are often disproportionately targeted by such laws. Democratic Socialist Councilwoman Tiffany Caban (D-Queens) and Shahana Hanif (D-Brooklyn) have joined as co-sponsors, backing the proposal.

Critics of the proposed legislation have expressed deep concerns over its potential impact on pedestrian safety. As was reported by the Post, the city has spent the past decade implementing various traffic-calming measures, including the installation of red-light and speed cameras, as part of its Vision Zero initiative to reduce traffic fatalities. Legalizing jaywalking would seem to be in direct conflict with these efforts, as it could encourage pedestrians to cross streets recklessly, leading to an increase in accidents and potential fatalities, the Post report indicated.

City Council members from the Republican party, such as Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) and Council Majority Leader Joseph Borelli (R-Staten Island), are among the most vocal opponents of the proposed legislation, according to the Post report.  They argue that legalizing jaywalking would send the wrong message to New Yorkers, potentially leading to more accidents and jeopardizing the progress made in reducing traffic fatalities in recent years.

“I think this bill is ridiculous,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens), as was reported by the Post. “How can anyone imagine this is a good idea considering the [amount] of pedestrian deaths we continue to have each year? It would only put more pedestrians in danger.”

“‘Rules shmooles’ is the mantra of many [lefty] Council members, but I just hope this doesn’t have the same golden results as our repeal of pissing-in-public laws,” Council Majority Leader Joseph Borelli  said, according to the Post report.

Supporters of the proposal, including Eric McClure, executive director of the safe-roads group StreetsPAC, argue that jaywalking may not be as dangerous as perceived, as was reported by the Post. McClure suggests that crossing in the middle of a block might sometimes be safer than at intersections, where unexpected turns by vehicles can pose risks to pedestrians.

“I really don’t think there’s stats that show jaywalking is dangerous,”  McClure said, as was reported by the Post.

However, the Post reported that others, like city-based personal injury lawyer Paul Koenigsberg, believe that the legislation may not significantly impact traffic accidents but could potentially help pedestrians involved in personal injury lawsuits if they were technically jaywalking when struck by a vehicle.

This is not the first time that the city has considered legalizing jaywalking. In the past, legislative efforts stalled, but now, with Councilwoman Narcisse’s sponsorship, the debate has been reignited, the Post report indicated.

In January 2020, then-Council Speaker Corey Johnson demanded it in response to reports showing blacks and Latinos received nearly 90% of all 316 jaywalking tickets handed out during the first nine months of the previous year, a disparity he called “very disconcerting,” the Post report said.

Efforts to legislate such a rule change, however, were dramatically delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who supported a previous attempt by former Councilman Ben Kallos to legalize jaywalking, has yet to indicate her stance on the current proposal, according to the report. Meanwhile, the NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams’ offices are reviewing the legislation, considering its implications on traffic safety and enforcement.

Jaywalking has been on the books in the city since 1958 and carries a penalty of $250, the Post reported.

In 2019, the NYPD issued 361 jaywalking tickets, but jaywalking enforcement was all but nonexistent throughout the pandemic as only 90 summonses were issued in 2020 and  and 33 summonses were issued  2021, the Post reported.  Last year, cops handed out 117 tickets, but they’re on pace to shatter that total this year with 111 tickets issued through March 30, records show.