Child Hit By Car Near School Spurs Calls For Safer Crosswalks In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY — Parents and borough officials are calling for increased safety measures in Brooklyn after a child was struck by a car on their way to school last week.

According to officials, the child was struck by a car while crossing Dean Street on their way to PS 38, The Pacific School, in Boerum Hill. Although the street is residential and features a speed bump intended to slow traffic, parents say it’s not enough — and more must be done to protect students.

In a public statement, Council Member Lincoln Restler said the NYPD’s Transportation Division, at his request, assigned a temporary crossing guard to PS 38 starting yesterday morning. He added that his team is actively pushing for a permanent guard to help prevent future traffic incidents.

"I’m extremely grateful that the child is okay, and can only imagine how awful it was for students and families to witness," Restler added. "We must prioritize safety around our schools and I am working with the Department of Transportation to explore strategies to make drop off and pick up safer at PS 38."

Applications for a permanent crossing guard position can be found here. Candidates must meet specific physical and medical requirements and, once appointed, complete six days of training at the NYPD Police Academy.

To qualify for the position of school crossing guard, applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of appointment. While there are no formal education or experience requirements, candidates must be able to understand and speak English clearly. Residency within one of New York City's five boroughs is required within 90 days of being appointed, officials said.

Before starting the role, applicants must successfully complete a background check, medical examination, and drug screening. All applicants must be in good physical health and able to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

The role includes a six-month probationary period and pays $19.14 per hour. Employees must work at least 20 hours per week to qualify for health insurance benefits, which become available after a three-month waiting period.

Brooklyn, known for its dense population and constant street activity, continues to see a troubling number of pedestrian-related crashes. Recent city statistics reveal that hundreds of such incidents occur in the borough each month.

Data from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets paints a sobering picture: more than two-thirds of traffic fatalities in Brooklyn this year involved pedestrians. As of July, four of the six children killed in traffic incidents citywide in 2025 were struck by vehicles in Brooklyn. The borough now stands alone in surpassing its pre-pandemic average for traffic deaths. And for the first time since Vision Zero began, Brooklyn holds the unfortunate distinction of being the most dangerous borough per capita—its traffic fatality rate is 12% higher than the citywide average.

"“I am outraged by the number of traffic fatalities in our borough compared to the other four boroughs," Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said. "If the City wants to show that it cares about the lives of Brooklyn’s pedestrians, they need to stop stalling on major street safety projects and start seriously implementing lifesaving policies."