While free newspaper stands may be convenient for some, one Brooklyn councilman says the boxes are a quality of life issue.
Councilman David Yassky is cracking down on the boxes, specifically the ones set up near fire hydrants. City officials say the newspaper boxes should be at least 15 feet from hydrants and subway stations. They should also be 5 feet from intersections or curbs.
“A lot of times they’re right in the crosswalk, so people have to go around them to cross the street and that’s dangerous,” says Yassky.
Yassky is urging anyone who notices a box near a hydrant, subway or intersection to file a complaint on his Web site. According to Yassky, once the complaint is filed, a notice can be sent to the Department of Transportation for the box to be removed.
Click HERE for more information.
(Source: News12 Brooklyn)
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6 Responses
They are a hazard. The invite pests such as pidgeons. Why do we have go always be inundated by tons of advertisements and other types of newsprint?
All they need to do is require a license or permit or something like that and they’ll quickly disappear.
I agree that there is a danger with all the newsboxes on the street and nevermind they could be a place to put some sort of terrorist device! (I am not joking, you don’t see them on the street in Israel!) Get them off the street now!
Nonna_
It is amazing that in these trying times he is focused on tipshus. But #2 is on to something, the City can get licensing revenue from the boxes.
#2 There’s a small problem with that: it’s illegal to require a license for them. So long as the government allows any free boxes to anybody, they must all be free for any printed matter or art. That’s why there are so many out there, and the government can’t do anything about it.
It’s the same as the street vendors. Since New York allows veterans to sell things in the street without a license, it must allow the same privilege to anyone selling any printed matter or art. That’s the constitution for you.
I think the same rules should apply to mailboxes.
Also, don’t put the newspaper stands CLOSE TO the subway stations; put them IN the stations as a convenience to the thousands of readers who enjoy reading the free newspapers.