CATON AND FHP CROSSWALKS WILL BE SAFER FOR CHILDREN

The notion that pedestrians should be able to cross the intersection of Caton and McDonald safely was born in the mind of P.S. 230 parent Troy Martin, whose son was struck by an electric delivery bicycle in June as Troy walked him to school ("Child Struck at High-risk Intersection").

Troy contacted our Assemblymember, Jim Brennan, who organized a neighborhood meeting with officials, held on August 28th ("Pedestrians in Danger at Caton and McDonald"). As a result of that meeting, we have good news to report: NYPD school crossing guards will be posted at two dangerous intersections near three schools.

Assemblymember Brennan organized and facilitated the meeting between residents, school principals, the NYPD, and the Department of Transportation.

The NYPD will post a crossing guard at the McDonald Avenue-Caton Avenue intersection and one at the McDonald Avenue-Fort Hamilton Parkway intersection weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Brooklyn Prospect Charter School already has a crossing guard.

"Foot traffic along this corridor is growing tremendously with the addition of a new Junior High/High school in the area [Brooklyn Prospect Charter School]. There are over 3000 students from Kindergarten through High School crossing these roads. I commend NYPD for responding to this dangerous condition and taking measures to increase the safety of the community, particularly school children."

-- Assemblymember Brennan

The meeting participants included Assemblymember Brennan and his legislative aide, MaryKay Seery; NYPD personnel from local precincts 66 and 72, their Community Affairs units, the School Safety Division, and a school crossing guard; Joseph Palmieri, Borough Commissioner of NYCDOT; and the Borough Engineer.

The neighborhood participants were local residents,including parents of schoolchildren; P.S. 230 principal Sharon Fiden; Brooklyn Prospect Charter School president Daniel Rubinstein; a representative from the P.S. 130 PTA; Sister Mary Ann Ambrose, Pastoral Associate, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish; and Joy Rich from KARMABrooklyn.