You are reading

Constantinides to Introduce Bill to Decriminalize Jaywalking in NYC

Crosswalk along Queens Blvd. in Sunnyside (Photo: Queens Post)

Sept. 15, 2020 By Christian Murray

A Queens legislator will be introducing a bill before the city council Wednesday that calls for the decriminalization of jaywalking.

Council Member Costa Constantinides, who is sponsoring the bill, said that black and Latinx New Yorkers are the ones most ticketed for jaywalking and the bill aims to end the disparity.

“Every New Yorker crosses in the middle of the block, but that can end in a ticket depending on your skin color,” Constantinides, who represents Astoria said in a statement. “It’s beyond time we end this system by changing these outdated rules, which no longer reflect New York City’s modern day streetscape.”

The legislation would bring the city’s street rule in line with those of the state, which allows a pedestrian to cross at any point of the street—so long as there is no oncoming traffic.

Constantinides’ legislation would remove criminal and civil penalties for “jaywalking.” Currently, pedestrians must cross within marked pathways when given a walk signal. Anyone cited for a violation must physically go to court to pay a fine.

The council member said that the current rules run counter to a New York City norm, which is to cross at any point of the street when a car isn’t coming.

He said the current policy unfairly targets people of color. He cites a Streetsblog report that found black and Latinx New Yorkers received 89.9 percent of the 397 illegal crossing tickets issued in 2019.

The analysis found that almost 40 percent of the 2019 illegal crossing tickets were issued in three Bronx precinct, where almost every person fined was black or Latinx.

The bill has got the backing of Transportation Alternatives.

“In New York, crossing the street should not be a crime, especially one that disproportionately targets black and brown communities,” said Marco Conner DiAquoi, deputy director of Transportation Alternatives.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

4 Comments

Click for Comments 
somedude

no different from the decriminalization of the oregano.
akin to merriam-webster acquiescing to the vernacular use of made up words / phrases.

one less revenue stream. his last hurrah before his term is over…

Reply
Merman

Is his goal to turn nyc into a third world country with people jumping out into the street mid-block rather than being courteous and using a crosswalk??

6
1
Reply
ASensibleMan

“in three Bronx precinct, where almost every person fined was black or Latinx”

Maybe that’s because almost everyone in those precincts IS black or “Latinx” (fake word).

The jaywalking rules are stupid. But framing it as a racial issue is pathetic pandering.

3
1
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Cool off this summer with margaritas in Queens

Jul. 25, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The summer season ushers in outdoor adventures, extended daylight hours and sweltering heat, making it the perfect time to kick back at a local restaurant or bar and order a refreshing margarita. Sipping on this tequila-infused cocktail is one of the best ways to beat the heat and revel with margarita connoisseurs in your neighborhood.

BP Richards, city officials launch ‘historic’ community-driven ‘Reimagine Ravenswood’ plan

Jul. 17, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Standing in the shadow of the Ravenswood Generating Station smokestacks, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards joined city officials, local advocates and representatives from Rise Light & Power Thursday to launch the Reimagine Ravenswood Neighborhood Plan, which aims to provide opportunities for the local Queensbridge community during the transformation of the fossil fuel plant into a clean energy hub.