Neighbor's Illegal Driveway
The new tenants in the house around the corner from me are using the property’s sideyard as driveway. Since there is no curbcut and the curb isn’t painted, reporting it via 311 is pointless. However, the new tenants have posted a very large “no parking” zone sign on the gate and they now have an…
The new tenants in the house around the corner from me are using the property’s sideyard as driveway. Since there is no curbcut and the curb isn’t painted, reporting it via 311 is pointless. However, the new tenants have posted a very large “no parking” zone sign on the gate and they now have an exclusive parking space in front their home. Here’s the kick, when one of my neighbors parked there, the tenants called the cops and the cops towed the car!!! My friend now has to go to traffic court with evidence that it is an illegal driveway. How messed up is that?
” I asked for a pen to write the badge numbers down before I left and they refused to give me a pen and covered up their badges. ”
If she had done what I advised in my post, she would not have needed the pen. The shield numbers of all three officers in the station were visible. When she was transported to the precinct there was a number and a plate number on the vehicle. If the cops acted inappropriately then they should be disciplined, if she was disorderly then she should be found guilty of the offense. You automatically assume that the cops were wrong and that she is telling the truth. I reserve passing judgement either way.
“You live in fear. Not respect”
The first part of this statement is correct. I live in fear that I will not make it home to my kids because I may get shot while protecting people like you who don’t appreciate it. This fear keeps me on my toes which keeps me safe and has kept me coming home at the end of my tour for the past 18 1/2 years. Despite seeing people at their worst, most officers as is the case for myself, will show you respect if you are not disrepectful. Act otherwise and you will be treated accordingly. We are people not robots.
” I asked for a pen to write the badge numbers down before I left and they refused to give me a pen and covered up their badges. ”
In case you didn’t feel like getting into the boring details.
Chosen, your last statement says it all. You live in fear. Not respect. There’s a big difference. I won’t be intimidated by anyone’s threats of arrest EVER if that is against the law. And no, I’m not their boss, but I am the reason they exist — TO PROTECT ME, not to abuse me.
Just yesterday, this:
http://gothamist.com/2009/06/30/woman_says_misogynistic_cop_arreste.php?gallery0Pic=1#gallery
If they continue to create this kind of vibe, there will be a lot more people like me disgusted and fed up, and training will have to be completely overhauled.
You know what, that sounds good iz and then there is reality. When the Police fail to act in any given situation, people criticize. When they act, people criticize. Are there bad cops? Sure! Just as there are bad graphic artists, doctors, teachers and bloggers. And just for the record, overzealous policing did not start post 9/11. In communities of color, it has always been present. Welcome to their world.
Again do not ask a cop for his/her shield number. Do you have the right to do so, of course, but not recommended or necessary. Officers, unless they are not in a uniform detail, wear their shields with attached name plates on their outermost garments so you can just glance at it and commit it to memory for later use. If the Officer is not in uniform, but has a shield around their neck, you can again do the same. In the rare occassion that no shield is visible take note of their vehicles plate number. If the vehicle is an RMP (marked car) look at any of the identifying numbers on the vehicle and the command identifier. Sometimes you will see a precinct number or letters such as TB (Transit Bureau) followed by a number, PSA (Housing) followed by a number or just a series of letters like PBBS (Patrol Borough Brooklyn South) all on the rear quarter panel of the vehicles. If you are confrontational with a bad cop or just someone who is not going to tolerate your tirade on that day, you can be subject to a lawful arrest for OGA. This can cost you at least a DAT and at most a day or two in central booking. You don’t even need to threaten the officer with your intention of “reporting” them if you feel that you have been treated unfairly. Just do it. Call the CCRB upon returning to your home. In the case of corruption call IAB. You can access either of them via 311.
“For the record, I make it a practice to treat law enforcement with respect – if you want it, you have to give it.” -ENY
I don’t see why you would have a problem with this. My attitude is pretty much the same and makes my life easier. Everyone whether I’m on-duty or off will get the benefit of the doubt until they prove that they should be treated otherwise. If you offered this same courtesy to cops, who like other civil servants are paid by tax dollars, your experiences would probably be more positive and just because someone is a civil servant doesn’t mean that they are answerable to you personally.
This may be a broad generalization and may or may not be the case for you iz, but I have found that people who have the “I am a tax payer and I pay your salary attitude” are obnoxious and feel that they are somehow better than civil servants. Imagine walking into your doctors office or a restaurant with that attitude. I’d fear the Doctor using a bigger needle than necessary and the waitress going “Miss Celie” on me!
This is off the topic a bit but the following comment struck a nerve.
“For the record, I make it a practice to treat law enforcement with respect – if you want it, you have to give it.”
If you want it, you have to demand it — and NEVER let a police officer or anyone else who depends on your taxes for a living to intimidate you out of your rights as a resident of this city. New York cops have been acting with increasing, alarming disrespect towards NY citizens in the past few years (since 9/11, when they’ve gotten a way too long leash and way too little oversight). You should never hesitate to express your dissatisfaction with the behavior of a police officer when warranted. That’s your right as a citizen. Always ask for a badge number, and if you don’t get one (which happens more often than not, and THAT is illegal), try to remember as best you can the officer’s face. Follow up with a formal complaint.
Not standing up to abuse of power is condoning and encouraging it. Bad for the police force, as much as it is bad for the safety of the people the force is supposed to protect.
why doesn’t the city ticket property owners for illegally painted curbstones and illegal driveways? Seems like a quick way to make cash from scofflaws.
Petebkln is right. you can call 311 or the DOB and register a complaint. I’m an architect, and I was recently involved in a job where the buyer had to clear a violation for parking in an illegal parking spot before he could close on the house. In this day of re-financing glory, it might prove to be an incentive if it prevents the current owners from re-financing or selling.
“What is the alternative ENY?”
There is no alternative, Chosen. You are completely correct, and that’s the crappy part. If I was the one who got the ticket, I’d suck it up and pretty much do what you advised. But let’s just say I wouldn’t be very happy about it, or ACT like I was happy.
“Arguing with the responding Officer or the property owner which can escalate the situation. You stated that your dad was a CO, and I certain that if you ask him, he’ll agree with me there.”
He was, and you’re right. That’s exactly what he’d say (he died a while back). Not only that, I know that generally, it’s not a brilliant idea to argue with ANY cop. You’re not going to win too often. For the record, I make it a practice to treat law enforcement with respect – if you want it, you have to give it.
” every legal driveway in the city should be given some type of medallion that has to be place in the ground for all to see.”
I think this is a good idea.
What is the alternative ENY? Arguing with the responding Officer or the property owner which can escalate the situation. You stated that your dad was a CO, and I certain that if you ask him, he’ll agree with me there. I said years ago that every legal driveway in the city should be given some type of medallion that has to be place in the ground for all to see. This makes things easier for the police, people looking for parking and anyone else concerned. Fortunately for us we do not live in a police state so the police do not handle civil matters of this nature but the DOB should be taken to task on this one.
If you ascertain from DOB whether the driveway is on record or not, that will suffice to fight the ticket in the administrative hearing. However, getting DOB to actually take action against the illegal activity is another story. Unfortunately they have their hands full with falling buildings and other such dangerous matters. Despite what the people at Livable Streets say, an illegal driveway is not a hazardous condition and it probably isn’t high on their list of priorities. Calls to your Council reps, CB’s, Assembly reps and whoever else will listen is probably the best way to fight this.
At any rate, I would not recommend parking in an illegal driveway despite my disdain for the fact that this would be advantageous to the person who created it because if they vandalize your vehicle which happens often, there again is nothing that the police can do but take the report for insurance purposes, unless a witness who is willing to make a statement and possibly come to court to testify steps up.