Winter is slowly creeping up which means the sun is setting earlier. You may find that it's already dark after finishing up a long day at work or that your home is several blocks too far away after an evening out.
If you feel unsafe walking alone at night or taking public transportation, here are some ways to feel more secure beyond the well-known tips (spatial awareness — be aware of your surroundings, pretend to be on a call, or sticking to well-lit areas!) we all heard while growing up.
Safewalks
Safewalks is a volunteer-run group that will walk to and from public transit or a public area. The founder, Bushwick local Peter Kerre, who is also a network leader of the activist cyclist group Street Riders NYC, started SafeWalks in response to the string of assaults against women at the Morgan L train station last November. It all started when Kerre was standing outside the train station entrance to offer accompaniment home is now an initiative of over 200 volunteers composed of residents throughout NYC's five boroughs.
You can also request to be escorted home via Safewalks' Instagram account. Be sure to put in the request at least one hour prior to the meetup time. Round-trips and public transit requests require 24 hours notice, and "emergencies, vaccine appointments, and "extreme need situations" are prioritized.
SafeWalks is currently in the process of creating an app that would include real-time tracking. You can donate to SafeWalks' GoFundMe to launch the community safety app to further expand the areas covered.
Brooklyn Bike Patrol
The Brooklyn Bike Patrol was founded in 2011 and is a community organization dedicated to helping Brooklyn Residents feel safe as they travel from the train to their homes. The initiative has now expanded to service many more areas of Brooklyn, including Bushwick.
In the past, the Brooklyn Bike Patrol provided its services during the evening hours, seven days a week, but with the decrease in volunteers after the onset of the pandemic, the organization's working hours are now three days a week. They require 45 minutes in advance to schedule a pick-up.
Brooklyn Bike Patrol is currently looking for volunteers, all of which are background-checked by the 72nd Precinct.
Big Dogs are also welcome to apply!
Local Cab Services
Uber and Lyft have been reliable, convenient ways to get home but since the lockdown has ended, more people are now demanding rides due to covid around 50% more than pre-pandemic levels. These ridesharing companies responded to the increased demands and lack of drivers with price surges, which can easily deter pedestrians from getting a ride.
Hence, cab services are starting to get popular again. Though cab services share similarities too with Uber and Lyft, including base fare, surcharges, and pricing based on both miles and minutes, there is one important difference: cabs charge per mile when moving and per minute when idling. It'd be cheaper to get a cab in congested areas like NYC at night when booking a ride with the ridesharing giants is in high demand, especially when traveling short distances.
Curb
is a mobile app that allows users to hail cabs on their phones through a convenient platform. The app connects pedestrians to over 100,000 drivers in New York City, so you will never have to wait for a cab to turn around a corner.
If local is your comfort zone, there are many cab services in Bushwick you could call 24 hours of the day, seven days a week.
Bernice Car Service
started in 2018, is located at 208 Wyckoff Ave. The service has a Facebook page as well as its own app available to work on any device. Rates are not listed on the company's website but you can get a quote through its online form or by calling.
Bushwick Car Service
at 184 Knickerbocker Ave. has been serving the five boroughs and surrounding areas for 25 years and claims affordable rates in Brooklyn. All drivers go through a strict background check procedure. The service currently has 2,000 drivers as part of its team.
440 Car Service
started in 1980, is located on 1266 Myrtle Ave. A list of estimated rates can be found on its website, which also includes occasional online-only exclusive deals. 440 also has its own app and a regularly updated blog where you can find "hotels and restaurants, sights of New York City and our service offers."
