![]() With kites flying at 1,000 feet plus, the height of these kites is also a violation of FAA regulations. With such close proximity to both Cross Bay Boulevard, the glass strings are of great concern to cause not only home property damage but also be a hazard to cars, boats, and electrical lines. Residents were seen climbing on ladders to remove the glass strings as the lengthy cords stretched over 6 blocks. Mundy also reported that on Labor Day there were over 20 kites flying competing and nearly all of them either landed in Jamaica Bay or across the rooftops of homes in Broad Channel. Oftentimes we are finding birds and reptiles that have been killed by the string when they become entangled”. The Ecowatcher’s have been removing this type of kite string from across the various wetland islands of the bay. If anyone sees this behavior on park property please call US Park Police at 71.”ĭan Mundy, Jr, President of the local environmentalist group Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers had this to say about the situation: “Kite Fighting is a growing problem. These types of kites are not allowed anywhere in the park. The Wave reached out to NPS representatives hoping to find what they plan to do about the issue, and a spokesperson from the service replied that “ this is the first we are hearing of this issue. The problem was so concerning, in fact, that the New Delhi city government later banned the sale of glass-coated kite string following the deaths, saying anyone violating the prohibition could be fined up to 100,000 rupees ($1,500). ![]() ![]() In 2016, the Associated Press reported that three people, including two children had died in New Delhi after their throats were slashed by glass-coated kite string used in competition. In both cases, riders were knocked from their bikes as they rode into the strings, not knowing they were there.Īs it turns out, the string is extremely strong, and fatal motorcycle accidents have been reported in many South Asian nations during kite fight tournaments, as a result of kite strings catching unsuspecting motorists as they drove. A Broad Channel resident has spotted a dead goose at the end of West 19th Road Near Sunset Cove side ensnared by kite lines, while two local residents in different incidents both got hurt when they rode their bike over glass-encrusted kite strings that landed in their path. Since this recent influx of kite fighting escapades, several locals have reported seeing incidents involving the sharp, dangerous kite tails that are a crucial part of the competition. Despite this ban, however, this competitive kite flying seems to have grown in popularity amongst park visitors looking to take advantage of the open-air space found at the American Ballfield located off Cross Bay Boulevard and West 20th Road in Broad Channel. ![]() This practice was banned from the National Parks Service at the behest of the birding groups. ![]()
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