Today, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley (D-30, Queens) announced new legislation requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install signage pointing towards local police precincts with Council Member Diana Reyna, representatives for State Senator Joe Addabbo, Assemblyman Mike Miller, and Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, and concerned Ridgewood residents.
Residents often need to visit police precincts to file complaints and receive police reports. The 104th Precinct, like many others across the City, serves a large area with numerous diverse neighborhoods making it difficult for some residents to find. Ridgewood residents and leaders have made repeated requests for the DOT to install signage to help mediate solve this problem but were denied.
“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 Council Member Elizabeth Crowley. “The DOT already installs many directional signs. Adding signage for police precincts should be a no brainer.”
“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 Council Member Diana Reyna. “This legislation addresses an essential public safety issue by providing greater access to information about law enforcement.”
“Such signage is essential to everyone’s safety and well-being,” said State Senator Joseph Addabbo. “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 requiring the DOT to post signage for police precincts, we take an important step towards increasing public safety for our community,” said Assemblyman Mike Miller. “We already provide signs for local hospitals, parks, schools, and landmarks, requiring signage for police precincts is a logical next step. I am proud to support this effort.”
Currently, the DOT installs “trailblazer” signs at the request of the community and local elected officials directing motorists to various public areas. However, the DOT has not honored the community’s request for police precinct signage, citing that the signs do not meet their policies for signs. The new bill by Council Members Crowley and Reyna would require the DOT add police precinct signs.
In 2008 Council Member Elizabeth Crowley was elected to represent the 30th Council District covering the Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, and Woodhaven neighborhoods. Elizabeth was the first female and first Democrat elected to represent that seat. She has chaired the Fire & Criminal Justice Services Committee since January 2010 which oversees the Fire Department, Department of Correction, Department of Probation, and Criminal Justice Coordinator’s Office.
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