The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council plans to submit an application to the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) for a "Prospect Heights Neighborhood Slow Zone". The streets to be included in the slow zone are shown in blue on the map above.

Neighborhood Slow Zones (NSZ) are a DOT program that reduces the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph and adds safety measures within a select area in order to change driver behavior. The ultimate goal of the Neighborhood Slow Zone program is to lower the incidence and severity of crashes and to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Slow Zones also seek to enhance quality of life by reducing cut-through traffic and traffic noise in residential neighborhoods. The application deadline is February 3, 2012.

In light of the horrendous murder of Deloris Gillespie, who was set on fire in her apartment building elevator on Saturday, December 17, Council Member Letitia James and the community have set up a rehabilitation fund to assist her family in their time of need.

“We come together to support a local family in need today. I believe that it is the responsibility of the community to hold up their neighbors in tragic times such as these; therefore we will do whatever we can to make sense of this gruesome crime, and more importantly to help put the lives of the family members of Deloris Gillespie back together. Family and friends remember Deloris as a generous, active member of her community; she fed and clothed the hungry, worked closely with the 77th Precinct Community Council, as well as was a dedicated U.S. Postal Service employee.”

The New York City Department of Transportation recently installed a traffic signal and pedestrian crossing signals at the intersection of Park Place and Carlton Avenue. The intersection had long been considered dangerous by pedestrians due to the propensity of cars turning on to Carlton from Flatbush Avenue to roll through the stop sign at Park Place, and also due to the lack of a crosswalk across Park Place east of Carlton Avenue. The latter crossing is frequently used by people headed for the B and Q subway entrance.

In July, the Department of Transportation installed new street signs throughout the Prospect Heights Historic District. Forty-nine existing signs within the district were replaced. The new street signs will more clearly indicate the boundaries of the Historic District to residents and visitors. Historic markers, each with a map and description of the district, will be installed later this year.