State lawmakers propose legislation to crack down on illegal car meetups
On Sunday, Oct. 6, Suffolk County police said they dispersed several of these meetups in Patchogue, Shirley, Sound Beach and Miller Place.
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Drivers acting recklessly, hanging out of cars, shooting off fireworks, and blocking traffic have become a nightly occurrence in Suffolk County.
Not only are these incidents dangerous and illegal but they are blocking first responders from doing their jobs, authorities say.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, Suffolk County police said they dispersed several of these meetups in Patchogue, Shirley, Sound Beach and Miller Place.
One person was injured in the early morning and two others were arrested in separate incidents. In one case, the cars blocked an ambulance.
New York State Sen. Anthony Palumbo, who represents eastern Suffolk County including Miller Place, has introduced legislation to increase penalties on people who intentionally block emergency vehicles.
His bill will also provide police and prosecutors with more resources needed to stop these dangerous street takeovers.
The announcement comes one day after advocates, including his Democratic opponent in next month's election for the 1st state Senate district, Sarah Anker, called for a traffic light at the intersection of 25A and Oakland Avenue in Miller Place.
This is down the street from one of the weekend's shutdowns and a notoriously bad spot for these types of incidents.
There have been 330 accidents in the last six years along Route 25A between Oakland Miller Place Road and Oakland Avenue, according to the Suffolk County Police Department's Traffic Accident report.
Palumbo made his announcement at a press conference at the Miller Place Fire District.
