News

Brooklyn resident objects to LinkNYC kiosks

August 7, 2017

Judith Barnes, founder of the Vertical Player Repertory in Brooklyn, New York, is fighting LinkNYC kiosks after finding one installed on the sidewalk directly in front of her apartment window, according to The Brooklyn Eagle.

Barnes called it visual pollution, light pollution and noise pollution, as well as a privacy issue since the kiosk has a camera. She said it is also a potential magnet for loiterers.

She said she has spoken with various government and community officials about the kiosks.

Stacy Gardener, director of external affairs for the New York City Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications, told Barnes the department has removed the browser function from all LinkNYC tablets and lowered call volume by 50 percent at night.

Since these changes, there have been very few complaints relating to noise and loitering, Gardener said.

Gardener also said the kiosk meets siting criteria and is a proper distance from the existing fire hydrant and other city infrastructure.