The parents, siblings and children of those killed by reckless drivers in New York gathered on the steps of City Hall Sunday holding pictures of loved ones along with signs that read: “No Charges Filed.”
The group Families for Safe Streets is calling on the district attorneys in all five boroughs to prosecute reckless drivers who kill or seriously injure New Yorkers.
"Why is it that if you kill someone while driving drunk, the district attorney will press charges, but not if you kill or maim someone through reckless behavior on the road," said Amy Cohen. Her 12-year-old son, Sammy Cohen Eckstein, was struck and killed by a driver in 2013.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney was among the crowd as a survivor. When she was a teenager, she was in a car that was hit by a drunk driver. She said 95-percent of traffic homicides in the city never lead to arrests.
“Explain to us why someone violates the law and you don’t prosecute, you don’t convict, you don't fine, you don’t take their license away,” Maloney said. “Some of these people are consistent traffic violators and harming other people."
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement that some reckless drivers don't receive the most severe punishment because, "the law draws a significant difference between negligence and criminal negligence."
Families for Safe Streets said charges are filed in just 2-percent of traffic incidents, excluding hit-and-runs and drivers who are under the influence.
Aaron Charlop-Powers, a founding member of the group, said families want “consistent and predictable enforcement.”
He announced Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson has pledged to support the cause by starting the District Attorney Driver Accountability Initiative. The D.A.'s office did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday.
"He was sweet and kind and quirky, very talented and creative," said Debbie Kahn of her son Seth, who was killed by a New York City bus driver on his way to work. Seth wanted to be a toy designer. "Because he wanted to make children happy. He liked making people happy."