Labor Day Street Closures in Crown Heights From Sunday Night

The annual Labor Day festivities, which include the West Indian American Day parade and series of events, bring millions of visitors to the Crown Heights neighborhood.

It will take place in Crown Heights, with street closures beginning Sunday evening September 3, through Monday evening, September 4.

Anyone wishing to drive into Crown Heights streets, from Montgomery St. until President St., will need ID showing local address.

The NYPD will increase the police presence in the Crown Heights neighborhood for the next 6 days, in the lead up to and during the Labor Day events in the area.

Beginning on Thursday, Friday, and Shabbos, in the days leading up to the Labor Day weekend festivities, there will be an increased police presence in the area, Sergeant Mike Baratta of the NYPD 71st Precinct tells COLlive.com.

There will be massive police coverage in the area on Sunday and Monday, during the Labor Day annual celebration, he says.

On Sunday and Monday, there will be over 2,000 police officers deployed throughout the whole precinct and in the Crown Heights area, to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors in the neighborhood.

Expect heavy traffic delays from Sunday 10 pm to Monday 6 pm.

J’OUVERT

Road Closures
Sunday, September 3-Monday, September 4 from 11:30pm-11am
Flatbush Ave from Grand Army Plaza to Empire Blvd
Empire Blvd from Flatbush Ave to Nostrand Ave
Nostrand Ave from Empire Blvd to Rutland Road

West Indian Day Parade
Road Closures
Monday, September 4 from 6am-6pm
Rockaway Parkway from Winthrop Street to Buffalo Ave
Buffalo Ave from East NY Ave to Lincoln Place
East NY Ave from East 94 Street to Ralph Ave
Portal Street from East NY Ave to Eastern Parkway
Rochester Ave from East NY Ave to Lincoln Place
Union Street from Ralph Ave to Portal Street
Eastern Parkway from Ralph Ave to Utica Ave

Beginning at 8:00am
No Southbound Traffic entering from Atlantic Ave onto Eastern Parkway
All Northbound Streets closed from Empire Blvd towards Eastern Parkway
Eastern Parkway closed to all traffic from Utica Ave to Grand Army Plaza
No Southbound Traffic on Flatbush Ave from Grand Army Plaza to Empire Blvd
No Northbound Traffic on Flatbush Ave from Church Ave to Grand Army Plaza
No Southbound traffic on Ocean Avenue from Empire Blvd to Parkside Ave
No Northbound traffic on Ocean Ave from Parkside Ave to Empire Blvd

Street Crossings
Crossing the street will be allowed at the following intersections:
Eastern Parkway & Schenectady Avenue
Eastern Parkway & Albany Avenue
Eastern Parkway & Brooklyn Avenue
Eastern Parkway & Nostrand Avenue
Eastern Parkway & Rogers Avenue
Eastern Parkway & Classon Avenue

Crossing Eastern Parkway via Subway Stations:
Utica Avenue Station
Kingston Avenue Station
Nostrand Avenue Station
Franklin Avenue Station
Brooklyn Museum Station

Update from the Jewish Future Alliance:

The annual Labor Day parade in Crown Heights is approaching, and it’s encouraging to note that the concerted efforts of the community and the NYPD have significantly enhanced safety during the event. While instances of violence, primarily occurring on Sunday nights in previous years, have been a concern. Last year, there were no serious incidents within the confines of the 71st precinct, a testament to the dedicated efforts of the NYPD. Their hard work is greatly appreciated and has contributed to the event’s improved safety.

Enhancements to Pedestrian Infrastructure
Residents might have noticed ongoing construction at intersections within the Crown Heights neighborhood. These visible enhancements are part of the New York City Department of Transportation’s (NYC DOT) Pedestrian Ramp Program, which aims to install and enhance pedestrian ramps.

The recently upgraded pedestrian ramps will feature a noticeable red (or white in specified districts) detectable warning surface. This addition aims to enhance safety and convenience for individuals with visual disabilities.

Recent upgrades can be observed at intersections like Empire and New York, as well as New York and President and Carroll.

For reporting conditions such as damaged sidewalks or pedestrian ramps, please visit nyc.gov/311 or dial 311.

Shooting Incident at Bedford Union Armory Prompts Security Upgrades

On August 16th, a shooting occurred at Bedford Union Armory, injuring a 17-year-old. The incident took place in the lobby around 7:30 p.m. The victim also had a firearm. The armory, now a community center since its 2021 conversion, hosts various activities like after-school programs, basketball games, swim lessons, and art performances.

Entrance now includes mandatory bag and ID checks, along with the addition of extra security personnel.

Crown Heights Sanitation Walkthrough

In collaboration with Community Board 9 and Council Member Hudson’s office, the JFA conducted a walkthrough in Crown Heights involving sanitation officials and store owners on Kingston and Albany Ave. The aim was to address the challenges arising from new regulations that mandate the use of sealed containers for garbage placement, including the lack of space in the store for the containers. During our visit to a local vegetable store, it became apparent that the store entrances couldn’t accommodate regular-sized bins, which is another issue.

Store owners raised valid concerns about the potential theft of bins left unattended overnight, particularly considering the area’s history of such incidents.

Furthermore, our walkthrough uncovered an unforeseen issue: some enforcement agents rely on Google to determine store closure times. This reliance is unreliable, leading to inaccuracies—especially on weekends and during the summer months. We asked sanitation to address this information gap as it is essential for enhancing the accuracy of future enforcement procedures.

This update aims to raise community awareness and encourage active participation in the democratic process. We’ll continue to update you about neighborhood developments.