Standing at the site where a three-year old child was struck by a taxi cab only five months ago, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, NY State Senator Daniel Squadron and Council Member Margaret Chin joined together today to celebrate the result of swift community action - the installation and inaugural operation of a stop light on the once-hazardous intersection at Duane and Greenwich Streets.

Calls for a stoplight at the Duane and Greenwich intersection, which is directly adjacent to two schools, were first issued in 2008. After a three-year old Ozzie Carty was struck by a taxi cab last October, a coalition of elected officials, community leaders and concerned parents called on the Department of Transportation to take action immediately and introduce long-overdue safety protocols at the Tribeca crossing. The DOT responded one week later, approving the installation of a traffic light.

The traffic light was installed and activated Tuesday, February 21, to begin shepherding pedestrians safely from one curb to the other.

"This stoplight is a testament to the power of community action - when the residents of this neighborhood unified together and petitioned for their interests, their government listened," said Manhattan Borough President Stringer. "A stoplight may not seem like much, but today the parents and children of TriBeCa are significantly safer because of this much-needed reform. I applaud the Department of Transportation for working with the community to rectify these safety issues, and we look forward to working together on issues of traffic and pedestrian safety as downtown Manhattan continues to grow and evolve."

"As Lower Manhattan continues to grow, our streets must change with it. Now, hundreds of families cross this intersection - and every intersection in Lower Manhattan -- everyday. The community made its voice heard, and, together, we secured a traffic signal at Greenwich and Duane that will make our streets safer," said Senator Daniel Squadron. "Thank you to DOT for heeding our calls, and to the community and my colleagues in government for their strong advocacy."

"I am very proud to celebrate the fruits of this coordinated effort between lower Manhattan elected officials and the Tribeca community," said Council Member Margaret Chin. "As a parent who raised a child in lower Manhattan, I know how difficult it is to safely navigate streets and sidewalks with toddlers and young children in tow. Greenwich Street runs through the heart of a neighborhood that is bustling with young families moving between daycare, school, home and work. It is also home to an active senior population that is always on the go. With this traffic light in place, I know that our neighborhood is now safer and more responsive to the needs of its residents."

"Thank you to DOT for being responsive to the community and elected officials on the need for a traffic signal at Greenwich Avenue and Duane Street," said Congressman Jerry Nadler. "The welcome addition of this long-awaited traffic signal will help make the intersection safer for everyone, including the many school children and area residents who must cross these busy streets."