Vinny Dong testifies on student safety and lighting under elevated trains
High school student Vinny Dong testifies in support of Intros 845 and 866, describing how students travel across the city at early and late hours and face unsafe conditions when streets are dark under elevated trains, especially in winter when daylight is limited.
Good afternoon, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Thank you for allowing me to testify.
My name is Vinny Dong, and I'm a current sophomore at Queens High School for the Sciences.
As a student, I am here to testify about Intro 845-2026 and Intro 866-2026.
As a student, we are across all five boroughs of New York City, and we travel all across the city to get to our schools every single day, Monday through Friday, at sometimes absurd hours.
Sometimes we wake up at 6 o'clock and sometimes we get home at 9 o'clock because of extracurriculars, getting to school, the distance.
It is essential for the Department of Transportation and this committee to invest on the infrastructure surrounding the trains, on the passes and streets.
When winter comes and the daylight time shrinks, sometimes it gets dark at around 6 or 7.
When streets get dark, stuff happens.
It's well reported in analytics, it's well reported in crime reports, and when streets are unsafe,
Parents cannot assure that their child will come home safe either.
No student should have to give up their access to extracurricular activities or DYCD programs or any other programs they do outside of school simply because transportation is unsafe or uncertain.
Additionally, I would like to branch out this issue more than infrastructure.
Sometimes when transportation is delayed or uncertain or when the roads are uneven, it poses a significant threat to students, especially those with disabilities.
Thank you.
Councilman Marte?
I just want to say thank you for coming today and for testifying.
I think what you said is exactly what this legislation is meant to achieve.
And so I just want to thank you for having the courage, showing up to a city council hearing and saying how you and other students feel.
I was excused.
If we inadvertently missed anyone who registered to testify today and is yet to be called, please use the Zoom raise hand function if you are testifying remotely, and you will be called in the order that your hand has been raised.
If you are testifying in person, please come to the dais.
I will need you both to fill out an appearance card.
Thank you.
They're bringing an appearance card for you to fill out, and then you'll be able to testify.
Give us a moment.
All right.
Blake Walker.
Please turn on your mic.
You're fine.