By COLlive reporter
R’ Meir Shlomo Junik, owner of the Quality Care Dry Cleaners on Albany Avenue in Crown Heights, can be seen on surveillance cameras rushing to the rescue of children in 2 separate instances.
In the first clip, a few children cross Empire Blvd. when a girl falls behind on the tip of the sidewalk, with a vehicle about to make a turn. Junik is seen running to pick her up.
In a second clip, a boy is riding a scooter and drives straight into the street with oncoming cars. Junik again was there, outside his store, to lend a hand.
Speaking to COLlive.com, Junik said: “It’s very disturbing to see kids unsupervised and the danger is increasing by day to day.”
“We can’t rely on miracles,” the father and grandfather said in a public plea to parents.
“Parents have got to be vigilant – not to be on cell phones and to pay attention,” he said. “Some parents have little kids supervising on the younger ones instead of adults.”
VIDEO:
A child having a hard time stopping at Empire can happen to ANYONE – yes WITH parents vigilantly watching. The kids are riding outside and they’re going downhill toward empire and some have a hard time stopping, they can be entirely supervised and a parent will always be a few seconds behind the bike when he or she sees the child is not able to stop even though they always ride responsibly. It’s downhill and happens fast. Please stop judging parents. This is not the case of distracted parents, this happens in no time.
If you know that the street goes downhill towards a busy intersection a responsable parent will ger the kids to walk towards the curb for the last few meters instead of riding towards. Then when the kids are alone they will be more likely to do that practice as well.
Knowing that this is the case, parents should not be allowing their children to ride downhill towards Empire Boulevard, especially not at great speed.
Yes, things can happen very, very quickly. I do not want to judge anyone. Nevertheless, adults must take responsibility…which in this case, means taking precautions. The intersection of Albany and Empire is known to be dangerous.
You are so wrong. Parents SHOULD be judged… you would be quick to call out a babysitter who wasn’t paying attention, wouldn’t you? 6 year olds in charge of 3 year olds? I see it all the time. Since Albany is hilly, THE KIDS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO RIDE DOWN WITHOUT SOMEONE RIGHT THERE WITH THEM! If parents can’t watch multiple kids, either take them out in shifts, get someone to help supervise… or stay home! Reb Meir, you were in the right place at the right time. But what if you wouldn’t have noticed, chas v’sholom? It doesn’t… Read more »
Everyone’s so quick to defend the kids but this isn’t the first, or second time seeing young kids alone/with a parent on their phone. Even adults walk with their heads in their phones and don’t look ahead. Mr. Junik is warning us and we should appreciate it instead of letting our ego get in the way.
No. If you have a young child, who most likely does not have the foresight to observe everything that might happen around him, or reflexes to respond properly (the brain does not fully develop until a person is in their 20s), then you must make a choice.
Either remain next to them the entire time they are riding, with your undivided attention, or DO NOT LET THEM RIDE. Hashem gifted you with a precious neshama, YOU are responsible for them!
A lot of City Pedestrian Ramps (which is the small ramp that leads to the street level) in CH are Uneven, Meaning that there is still a inch or so gap from the street to pedestrian ramp level by the corner, City Pedestrian Ramps are very important for mothers pushing their children in Carriages & Strollers, If a City Pedestrian Ramp is Uneven, if walking fast it can cause a stroller to flip, or a child on a bicycle/scooter to fall, In this specific case it looks like the corner already has the Brand New Red City Pedestrian Ramp, But in Many… Read more »
As well Many City Streets in Crown Heights have Potholes and Cracks, Besides for the obvious fact that this can cause damage and flat tires to our vehicles, This can be a very big danger for people when they cross the street, especially for mothers pushing their strollers (because the strollers have wheels) As well as for young children on bicycles/scooter etc) So many city streets in CH have tons of Potholes & cracks and need to be fixed etc, I would suggest that if you notice a City Street in CH that has many potholes/cracks etc, To Call 311,… Read more »
Meir Shlomo- he’s the sweetest!
ty for looking out
Please stop sending children out with younger siblings that are not ready for that responsibility .It is extremely stressful for them and if something did happen can you imagine the guilt that they would live with for the rest of their lives.
The mother in the video can not do what she is doing pushing a stroller with two other very young children on scooters.They are too young to be going at that speed on their own down the street.You can do that in the park not on the streets.
wow good job
You are the best! A man who is always there for the community,
I saw another case of boys on bikes riding.
They had the green as they were biking on the footpath
But they didnt stop for a second to check and see if any cars were turning or what was happening on the actual street.
Very scary to watch. They didnt pause at all – just flew down the hill, across the road
its crazy how phones take precedent over all else. adults, caregivers only have one hand available to hold a kids hand because one has a phone. parents wheel strollers one handed. counselors text while their students do activities, lifeguards etc. the list is endless and really sad and scary
All left turning cars must turn on an arrow only and not sharing with pedestrains, change the light there and build more safety around to protect kids.