Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is a public menace — at least when it comes to speeding in school zoneꦅs.
The lead-footed Democratic pol’s car was issued yet another $50 speeding summons in July — at least its 28th since 2013 — when it was caught on camera zooming through a Brooklyn school zone.
The citation comes after Williams following November 2018 media reports that his car was previous♒ly caught speeding
“I’m absolutely sorry and should be held accountable,” a solemn Williams told Streetsblog at the time. “I have to make changes in how I drive.”
And yet, Williams currently owes the city $226.56 in fines on three outstanding speed zone tickets — including $26.56 in late feesꦆ for a Juཧly 29, 2019 school-zone violation at Ocean Avenue and Avenue M in Midwood, records show.
Two other summonses, 🎀issued two days apart in October 2018 at a Coney Island Avenue intersection in Flatbush, have accrueওd an additional $25 each in late fees.
“There are a lot of children in this area, people should know that when they drive around here. Speeding like that 🐻is irresponsib♈le and puts those kid’s lives in danger. That’s no way for a man to act,” said Noach Dyckman, 53, who lives in Midwood.
Added a Brooklyn safe-streets advocate: “Speeding puts people unnecessarily at risk for purely selfish reasons. It’s not just an oopsy or a boo-boo. It’s a serious thing with serious consequences. Anyone who is privileged enough to own a car and drive needs to act responsibly to ensure the safety of everyone on the streets.”
Speed cameras photograph license plates and automatically ticket cars’ owners, so it’s not always⛦ clear who is driving when one is issued — b♋ut Williams through a spokesperson confirmed he was indeed driving during the July 29 incident. Although Williams supported the creation of the speed camera program, he’s had issues with the citywide, 25 mph speed limit that was signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014.
During a 2017 City Council hearing, Williams griped that it was “impossible” to stay below that speed at times — especially on deadly Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn, where Williams suggested the limit was too low.
A rep for the public advocate said he supports a bill by Councilman Brad Lande🀅r (D-Brooklyn) requiring the city to impound or b♓oot cars nailed for five or more traffic camera violations in a year.
Williams’ car, however, would have been subject to sꦗuch a law after racking up 11 camera violations betweeඣn Sept. 10, 2015 and June 13, 2016, according to city data.
He’s also racked up a🅷 slew of parking tickets over the past seven years, including a dozen for illegally parking in bus stops.
“The Public Advocate has taken full ownership and accountability for the past violations — and so proactively completed a safe driving course in November of 2018,” Williams’ office said in a statement.
Additional reporting by Daniel Cassady