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The Department of Transportation agreed Monday to replace damaged street signs in Belle Harbor.Many of the signs in the exclusive Queens beach community have been damaged by the sun, others have fallen off and some have been defaced.
Some people consider the area's summer parking requirements controversial, and say it discourages them from visiting the beach.
But officials say safety comes first.
"These signs are very important for not only the residents here but to the visitors of Belle Harbor here in Rockaway, and for the police department who has to enforce these signs. So this is a win-win for everyone at this point,” said Queens Councilman Joseph Addabbo.
“It can cause traffic accidents to occur, problems with the police precinct handing out tickets to cars who might be illegally parked and they just don't know about it, with signs missing from the poles," said Belle Harbor resident John Signorelli.
An estimated 55 new signs will be up by next summer.
