TESTIMONY
NYPD's Testimony Opposing the Bill Allowing Vending on City Bridges
0:15:28
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3 min
Deputy Inspector Kevin Kane of the NYPD delivers testimony on behalf of Commissioner Edward Cabana, expressing strong opposition to Preconsidered Intro 71, which proposes allowing vending on portions of city bridges.
Citing safety concerns, potential for terrorism, and public quality of life issues including heavy foot traffic, crowd control risks, and obstruction to emergency services, the NYPD outlines its stance against the bill.
Kane highlights historical threats, such as the 2003 Brooklyn Bridge plot, and the logistical challenges faced by law enforcement and first responders in managing safety and emergency situations on bridges, particularly the Brooklyn Bridge.
Speaker 5
0:15:28
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the council.
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I'm deputy inspector Kevin Kane, the operations commander of the Patrol Services Bureau of the New York City Police Department.
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I'm joined today by Julian Ferrugia, the managing attorney of the department's legislative affairs unit, as well as our partners from the department of transportation.
0:15:44
On behalf of police commissioner Edward Cabana, I would like to thank you for this opportunity to discuss the bill relating to vending on city bridges.
0:15:52
Preconsidered intro 71 would permit vending on certain portions of the city's bridges while prohibiting vending on the bridge's approach.
0:15:59
The city bridges, especially the Brooklyn Bridge, or some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, while also serving as important commuter options for pedestrians and was alike.
0:16:09
As a result, these bridges are some of the most heavily foot traffic and cycled areas of the city at peak times.
0:16:16
We have all experienced how congested the broken bridge can get and its popularity is a major factor in it being designated as a high threat counter terrorism target since the 2003 Brooklyn Bridge plot was uncovered, where an individual was tasked by Osama Bin Laden to sever the bridge's suspension cables.
0:16:33
The large carts tables, tents, tarps, gas containers, and other equipment that vendors would inevitably bring onto bridges presents opportunities for nefarious actors to conceal and deploy weapons and explosives or to tamper with when left overnight.
0:16:47
Beyond it being a high profile terrorism target, the level of pedestrian and cycle traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge presents other unique public safety and quality of life concerns.
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The threat of panic creating a pedestrian crush situation is an ever present danger.
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Further congesting the walkways with large obstacles and creating additional choke points is dangerous and will increase the likelihood that these hazardous situations may occur.
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These obstacles also create unnecessary additional challenges for law enforcement and first responders when responding to an emergency.
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From 2019 to 2023, there were at least 634911 calls for service on the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian and bike path, 1301 were for an ambulance response, including 130 for jumpers, 230 were for crimes in progress, 9 for a suspected explosive device or threat, 68 for hazardous materials, including suspicious packages, and 89 were for fires.
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When we respond to an individual who is threatening to jump, our officers must use a specialized rope system to attempt to prevent the tragedy.
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When vendors lock their equipment to the barriers overnight to prevent theft, it becomes more difficult and more dangerous to use this vital equipment.
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Vending on the walkways also creates unsanitary conditions which sometimes can create hazardous conditions on the roadway below when trash and debris inevitably fall through.
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Finally, the bridges in Lower Manhattan have been specifically favored targets for demonstrations and marches of all types.
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When the crowd is too large for the walkway to accommodate, groups will take to the roadway.
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Further congesting, the walkways only makes it more likely they will use the roadway, which creates obvious physical hazards while also causing significant negative impact on vehicular traffic in all of or Manhattan.
0:18:29
For these reasons, the department respectfully opposes this bill.
0:18:32
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today, and I am pleased to answer your question.