Brooklyn Open Streets See Theft, Harassment As DOT Vows Action

BROOKLYN, NY — The Department of Transportation has vowed to protect volunteers at the city's Open Streets after several "outrageous incidents" this week in Brooklyn.

A spokesperson told Patch Friday that the department is working with the NYPD to investigate after at least two Open Streets faced setbacks from supposed opponents to the program.

The incidents include a confrontation between a neighbor and volunteer at Underhill Avenue in Prospect Heights and several issues at Driggs Avenue in Greenpoint, where the Open Street temporarily was closed down after its barricades were stolen.

"The outrageous incidents we've seen this week are not common, but they are unacceptable — and we won't hesitate to act," spokesperson Brian Zumhagen said. "DOT is working with our partners at NYPD to protect volunteers and other community members as investigations continue."

On Driggs, video surfaced of an apparent Amazon worker loading the barricades into a van on Monday night, according to Streetsblog. Amazon told the outlet the worker and van were not with the company.

The Greenpoint Open Street had also been shut down temporarily after a volunteer was assaulted and equipment was vandalized, Streetsblog reported.

On Underhill Avenue, a volunteer reported what she said was not the first "angry confrontation" with a neighbor on Twitter on Tuesday.

The volunteer said the man threw the metal barriers while yelling at volunteers, according to her Tweets.

"It sucks that @UnderhillOSCC and @NBk_OSCC and all the other volunteers trying to bring #SafeStreets to our car-clogged city are having to face this crap every day," she wrote. "We do this because we love our communities dearly, but it puts targets on our backs. What to do?"

Police were eventually called and talked to the man, according to The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, which runs the Open Street.

PHNDC told Patch Friday that they are committed to the Open Streets program despite the challenges.

"No program that brings a change to public streets as significant as Open Streets can avoid having at least some neighbors voice complaints," PHNDC Secretary Gib Veconi said. "...We advise volunteers not to engage with individuals who appear angry or disturbed. If they feel their safety is in danger, volunteers are instructed to call 911."

Veconi added that the Underhill Open Street, one of two the organization runs in the neighborhood, is operated by 40 volunteers, signaling it has "significant...community support."

"PHNDC and the Underhill volunteers are committed to the success of the program, and look forward to its continued operation," he said.