Senator Sanders Calls on DOT/NYPD To Improve Traffic Safety in Far Rockaway

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) today hosted a press conference where he was joined by residents and community leaders to address the need for speed cameras on the eastern end of the Rockaway Peninsula.

"We have a lot of people coming to Rockaway, and that's a good thing, but we want them getting here safely and going home safely," Sanders said. "We also have homeowners, business owners and beach goers, and my constituent bosses are telling me this area is not as safe as it needs to be."

Many community members have reached out to the Department of Transportation regarding the need for speed cameras but have not gotten a response, so they have called upon Senator Sanders to help them get action.

"We are immediately requesting that the Department of Transportation place speed radar signs, and speed cameras throughout high traffic areas on the eastern end of the district, particularly in the areas of Beach 32nd Street and Seagirt Blvd where a very serious accident happened just a few days ago.

There was also a fatal accident one year ago at 20th Street and Seagirt Blvd. Speeding is a persistent problem on Rockaway Beach Blvd. near the Rockaway YMCA about which a local community group named, “The Heart of Rockaway” has made repeated requests for speed cameras and a police patrol car to slow down speeding cars.

"The community has said the speeding needs to stop," Sanders said, and as the elected representative for this area, it is my job to make sure that it does stop."