Stoop Drinking Still Illegal
Hey, this is a familiar story. Guy drinks beer on stoop. Guy gets ticket. And this guy goes to court. The Daily News reports that Prospect Heights resident Kimber VanRy will be in Brooklyn Criminal Court next month to contest the $25 ticket for sipping a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on the un-gated stoop of…
Hey, this is a familiar story. Guy drinks beer on stoop. Guy gets ticket. And this guy goes to court. The Daily News reports that Prospect Heights resident Kimber VanRy will be in Brooklyn Criminal Court next month to contest the $25 ticket for sipping a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale on the un-gated stoop of his Sterling Street condo. “VanRy said that as one of the cops played a video game on a cell phone, the other wrote him a $25 summons for drinking on the stoop — and allegedly told him not to worry because the ticket would likely be dismissed.” He pleaded not guilty to the ticket and got it reduced to $15, but it ain’t about the money. Drinking in public is illegal, as we know, but most folks don’t think a stoop fits the city’s definition of “public” as a place where “public or a substantial group of persons has access, including, but not limited to ‘a sidewalk or a street.'” Is this an issue the council should take up?
Prospect Heights Man Cited For Drinking Beer on Stoop [NY Daily News]
Photo by yadroff.
1. I believe a bench warrant does indeed issue for open container. I know three years ago a bench warrant would issue for failure to address a “riding a bicycle on the sidewalk” ticket.
2. Besides honkers, litterers and non-scoopers, how about double parkers???
3. And, what about the remaining suspects in the salon shooting? Or the body in a box near FG park??
Please, police officers, find other ways to raise revenue for the city. FREE COFFEE AND DONUTS to the team of cops who sit on my stoop and ticket honkers, litterers, people who don’t scoop their dog’s poop, and through trucks. And when your shift is over, I’ll even give you a couple of brewskis — in paper bags of course. That’s a LOT more revenue, less trouble, and, of course, more coffee and donuts than you would ever get out of ticking a menacing stoop sipper.
THIS IS A PROMISE.
This is why all laws should have grandfather clauses built-in.
But we live in a society where you can lose your freedom for growing a plant that has been safely used for therapeutic and recreational reasons since the dawn of civilization.
So until that changes, no one should be surprised about any of these insane laws.
And as y’all know, the city needs revenue where it can find it.
Disgusting.
You sound like an OK guy, Rob. We’re both dog owners (I have a boxer. Nevertheless I have a strict policy against (knowingly) meeting Brownstoner posters. I prefer anonymous communication with the people here.
That said, we smokers will need to stick together as anti-smoking facists are desperately trying to stop us from enjoying our legal right (to smoke).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-tobacco_movement_in_Nazi_Germany
“Regarding drinking on stoops, I think you have to ask yourself: are you okay with other people drinking on your stoop?”
No, I’m not OK with other people (whom I don’t know, that is) BEING on my stoop either, what’s your point?
can i come and hang out on your stoop with you east new york? i used to get my newports for 5 bux in harlem too by asking for the ones behind the counter! then they went up to 6 for a little. now i buy gross marlboro menthols cuz you can still find deals on those.
*rob*
I have a stoop located behind a gate that fronts a courtyard measuring about 16′ by 18′. Not only that, I get my CIGARETTES from a local storeowner for $5 a pack. I’m going to sit on my stoop tonight for a few minutes and puff on a Newport while drinking a Sol in honor of the posters here. Have a great weekend, everyone!
lol no. actually i turn 32 in a few months (the big Sweet Sixteen x 2!) it’s the internet who follows grammar rules on the internet. jeez.
*Rob*
“tho”? i ask this in all seriousness: are you in high school?