Local residents petition for all-way stop signs along accident-ridden Avenue P

A petition for all-way stop signs to be implemented at intersections along Marine Park’s Avenue P has garnered serious support from local residents after a nine-year-old boy was hit by a car there last month.

Started by Brooklyn resident Nachman Mostofsky on StandUnited.org, the petition outlines the dangers of not having an all-way stop sign on the corners of Kimball Street and Ryder Street along Avenue P and is addressed to Marine Park elected officials State Senators Marty Golden and Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymember Helene Weinstein and Councilmembers Jumaane Williams and Alan Maisel.

“We are demanding that the DOT install all-way stop signs at the Avenue P intersections with Ryder Street and Kimball Street,” the petition reads. “We demand the removal of all trees in front of existing stop signs, as well as those to be installed. For years we have asked for this and have been told that the DOT will not install them for various reasons; usually cost, even though there are weekly accidents at these intersections.”

The petition was drafted on the morning of December 9, the same morning the nine-year-old Marine Park resident was run down at Avenue P and Ryder Street after a sedan collided with a box truck, causing it to jump the curb onto the southeast corner of the intersection where the boy was standing.

“We are not sure what price the lives of our children are to the bureaucrats making these decisions, but as our elected representatives, it is your responsibility to make them put these signs in,” the petition continues. “These corners are bus stops for many schools, and dozens of children.”

With over 1,000 signatures, the petition – which allows signers to state the reason they are signing – hit well over its anticipated goal of signatures.

“This is crucial for the safety of all, from our seniors to our youngsters,” wrote local resident Elizabeth F. “Too many accidents, and near misses. The city has to take serious steps to correct these missteps.”

“These corners have seen quite a few serious accidents and many close calls in recent years,” added signee Isaac S. “4 way stop signs will definitely make these corners and Avenue P as a whole safer for drivers as well as pedestrians.”

Golden told this paper that he is monitoring the situation closely. “We are aware of the traffic safety concerns and the petition, and will be following up with the Department of Transportation regarding this intersection,” Golden said.

According to Maisel, meetings with DOT have taken place and a solution is in the works.

“Assemblymember Helene Weinstein, myself and some people within the community met with DOT in the last week of December and the DOT has promised that they are going to make some changes on Avenue P,” Maisel told this paper. “So, we haven’t gotten a final decision as to what they’re going to do – [they mentioned the possibility of] a speed bump, an all-way stop sign is probably going to come in and possibly some day-lighting, but I’m looking forward to getting a definite answer within the next week or two.”