Comments on: Badda Bing! NYPD “Taking Care of” New Parking Placards

By: BicyclesOnly

BicyclesOnly — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:09:10 +0000

Josh, As a not-infrequent poster and commenter on uncivil servants, I would point out that there are very likely a number of commenters who are retired law enforcement personnel, quasi-law enforcement personnel (corrections), and law-enforcement wannabees who like to pose as real cops and make up stories in puerile attempts to "get the goat" of the "liberals" they so loathe. So I would take the comment about "Dad's permit" with a grain of salt.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:02:33 +0000

"Interesting side note: Dad got his newly minted placard before I did and he has been retired over 2 yrs. So much for the mayor's new rules. Cops taking care of cops; now thats the way it should be."

I fail to see why any of the rest of us should respect the law if the people charged with enforcing it can't do the same.

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:40:17 +0000

(I imagine as well that the set of people who would be interested in taking part in that kind of event probably overlaps a great deal with the set of people who would be interested in serving on a community board or working in public service.)

Maybe. How about the internet? Evidently, the MTA's attempt got so much of a response it crashed.

Lots of computer programs force you to go through a series of screens. People could be forced to look at a series of facts, then put in their two cents. The total time could be limited to 15 to 20 minutes.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:36:23 +0000

Ordinary Citizen is right. I was sitting at Kate's table and even though I mentioned that I had a job, I did not say that my job sent me there, and the opinions I expressed at the workshop were 100% my personal opinions. The lady who worked in Sen. Serrano's office said the same thing.

I imagine as well that the set of people who would be interested in taking part in that kind of event probably overlaps a great deal with the set of people who would be interested in serving on a community board or working in public service.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:01:02 +0000

Am I the only one who worries when cops talk like characters from "The Sopranos?" Aren't they supposed to be putting guys like that in jail?

By: Real Person

Real Person — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:59:54 +0000

You can bet a whole bunch of "real people" will show up if the DOT announces big changes in parking. They will all complain about not having a chance to comment in advance. Basically nobody cares until after the decision has been made, then they scream.

DOT could have tried having the boro prez and one or two of the community boards in Harlem co-sponsor the event. This might have increased turn-out without surrendering the event to the community board.

By: Ordinary Citizen

Ordinary Citizen — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:52:03 +0000

Since when are "organizational representatives" not ordinary citizens? People go to hearings and workshops and are asked to give their affiliations, so they name one -- one of probably many organizations or groups they belong to. It would be rare to find someone who belonged to none.

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:04:45 +0000

"However, it was all organizational representatives, plus me and my friend (urban planners by profession but interested citizens on this night). No other random citizens." I think they haven't yet figured out how to get real public input. In most public hearings, you get self-promoting grandstanders out to pander to existing unearned privleges. So they are trying to come up with alternatives. But when I went to the MTA fare symposium I found the same thing as you -- policy experts. "Real people" don't have time for this stuff.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:54:18 +0000

I do not understand why cops feel entitled to a "good spot". Plenty of employees work long days and sometimes they take a cab home. Some employers even build parking lots as a benefit to their employees. But, it I could park in the crosswalk in front of my office I would buy a car.

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:18:23 +0000

I went to the Harlem parking forum last week and was surprised to find that everyone at my table (1 of only 2) was interested in finding ways to get as many cars off the road as possible. There wasn't anyone there clamoring for the right to park anywhere they wished for free. The sentiment was to take back the streets for stick ball! However, it was all organizational representatives, plus me and my friend (urban planners by profession but interested citizens on this night). No other random citizens.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:16:58 +0000

I'm an ordinary citizen; who can I call at the local precinct to "pull the summons" if I get a ticket? When the double-parking dialysis patient hit the news a couple weeks ago, the story was that once the agent started writing the summons, she couldn't rip it up. What's the story here?