Petition: Ask NYPD to Release Details of the Investigation into the Crash that Killed Matthew von Ohlen

Last week, we launched a petition asking NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill to order the department's Collision Investigation Squad and Brooklyn's 90th Precinct to update the public on the investigation into the July 2, 2016 hit-and-run crash that killed 35-year-old Brooklyn resident Matthew von Ohlen.

Von Ohlen was struck and killed by the driver of a black, late-model Chevrolet Camaro as he was riding his bike home from work in Williamsburg's Grand Street bike lane. Police who reviewed surveillance video of the crash told WPIX TV that the driver appeared to slow down and steer into the bike lane, intentionally striking von Ohlen before running him over and dragging him 30 feet, then speeding away. Von Ohlen died in the hospital not long after, the victim of severe trauma.

Four days later, the NYPD's 90th Precinct took to Twitter to announce that police had located the car involved in the crash. But that was the last public announcement made regarding the investigation into von Ohlen's death. More than four months have passed since.

The NYPD's failure to apprehend von Ohlen's killer fits a pattern. As Gothamist reported last week, police have made arrests in just 34% of the fatal hit-and-run crashes that occurred in New York City between July 2015 and June 2016. When hit-and-run crashes in which the victim suffered an injury are included, the arrest rate drops to a meager 8%.

You can add your name to the petition here – and please share it widely. Matthew von Ohlen, and all the victims of hit-and-run crashes, deserve justice.

Two Days Left to Register to Vote in the 2017 Primary, 2016 Presidential Election

Here's an important reminder that this Friday, October 14th, is not only the deadline to register to vote in next month's Presidential election – it's also the deadline for choosing party affiliation for next September's city primaries!

New York has a byzantine electoral system, highlighted by the fact that it has the earliest registration deadline of any of the 11 states with a closed primary (which means you can only vote in the primary of the party to which you're registered), as outlined in this recent article via DNAinfo.

Registration forms must be postmarked by Friday and received by the Board of Elections no later than October 19th. Change of address for the November general election must also be received by October 19th. You can also register in person at a Board of Elections office (be sure to bring a copy of the voter registration form with you), or, if you have a valid ID issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, you can register online at dmv.ny.gov. The deadline to register via the DMV is also October 19th.

Of course, if you're already registered and happy with your party affiliation, you don't have to do anything. If you're unsure of your voter registration status, you can check it here.

Find all the information you need, and download a voter registration form, at the New York City Board of Elections' website.

Keep in mind that in Democratic-leaning New York City, key races are often decided in the primary. And in 2017, New Yorkers will be voting for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, the Borough Presidents and the entire City Council. Don't be left out in the cold – register today!

StreetsPAC-Endorsed Candidates Win Manhattan, Brooklyn Assembly Primaries!

StreetsPAC today announced its endorsements for candidates running in the September 13th primary races for the New York State Senate and Assembly.

In Senate races, StreetsPAC is endorsing challenger Adrienne Adams in Queens’s 10th District, and in a hotly contested battle for an open seat in Manhattan’s 31st District, StreetsPAC is supporting Micah Lasher.  In Assembly contests, StreetsPAC is backing Robert Carroll in the open race for Brooklyn’s 44th District, challenger Paul Newell in a six-way race in lower Manhattan’s 65th District, and challenger Carmen de la Rosa in upper Manhattan’s 72nd District.

In addition, StreetsPAC is endorsing incumbent Brooklyn Assembly Members Felix Ortiz (51st District) and Jo Anne Simon (52nd District), neither of whom faces a primary challenge.

“For most state legislative races, incumbents are virtually guaranteed re-election, so our focus was on the handful of races for open seats, as well as those few contests in which there were legitimate, well organized and well funded challengers,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC.  “With Assembly Members Ortiz and Simon, we felt it important to make a statement of support for a pair of incumbents who boast particularly distinguished records on safe streets.”

“Infusing the legislature with new ideas and fresh energy is critical,” said StreetsPAC board member Sebastian Delmont, “and our endorsement decisions certainly take that into account.  The current way of doing things in Albany is obviously ripe for improvement.”

“While most decisions affecting street safety and transportation in New York City are made in City Hall and the Council, the state government plays a major role in a few key areas, including funding of the MTA and deployment and operation of speed and red-light cameras,” said Peter Frishauf, a StreetsPAC board member.  “We’re backing candidates who are committed to leading on those issues.” 

Click through after the jump for a round up of today’s StreetsPAC endorsees, all of whom have pledged to support the Move New York Fair Plan, installation of life-saving speed cameras at all 2,000+ New York City school (without restriction on their operation), increased deployment of red-light cameras, and expansion of the MTA’s Select Bus Service.

Two Days Left to Register to Vote in the September 13th Primary Election

Here's a quick reminder that the deadline to register to vote in the September 13th state and local primary election is this Friday, August 19th.

Registration forms must be postmarked by Friday and received by the Board of Elections no later than August 24th. Change of address for the September primary must also be received by August 24th. You can also register in person at a Board of Elections office, or, if you have a valid ID issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, you can register online at dmv.ny.gov (the deadline for in-person and online registrations is also August 19th).

If you're unsure of your voter registration status, you can check it here.

Find all the information you need, and download a voter registration form, at the New York City Board of Elections' website.