The residents, parents, and community members of Forest Hills and Rego Park are urgently calling on NYC DOT to install a traffic signal and implement stronger safety measures at the dangerous intersection of Fleet Street and Alderton Street.

This intersection is heavily used every day by children and families traveling to Baby Steps Daycare and Preschool Center, which sits at the intersection, as well as P.S. 174, Forest Hills Youth Athletic Association, and Painter’s Playground. Yet the current all-way stop configuration is clearly failing to keep pedestrians safe.

In April 2025, a vehicle caused major damage to the Baby Steps' perimeter fence and nearby street infrastructure. A ghost bike placed at this intersection remains a tragic reminder that a life has already been lost here. Parents and school staff have repeatedly raised concerns, but dangerous conditions continue every day.

• Failure of DOT Intervention: NYC DOT has denied numerous requests for a traffic signal, citing studies that allegedly do not support one. However, the destruction of property at the corner and the presence of a ghost bike make clear that the current all-way stop sign configuration is failing to safely manage real traffic conditions.
• Blatant Non-Compliance: Parents witness drivers ignoring stop signs every day. Vehicles routinely roll through the intersection while children are in the crosswalk, leaving families with strollers and young children dangerously close to moving traffic.
• Inadequate Enforcement Impact: While we appreciate the efforts of the 112th Precinct’s Traffic Safety Team, enforcement alone has not changed driver behavior. The intersection remains chaotic and unpredictable, especially when multiple vehicles converge. This is a street design problem that requires a traffic signal — not just periodic enforcement.

We should not have to wait for another crash before action is taken. 

We are calling on NYC DOT and the City to immediately re-evaluate this intersection and install a traffic signal before more lives are put at risk.

Following us on Facebook and Instagram @SafeCrossingProject