Stand and Get Ticketed

Two men were ticketed for standing - on their feet - in a fire zone near Hudson River Park on Sunday evening. Yes, ticketed! Jason Eng and Dennis Spafford told the Daily News, "It's so ridiculous that it's hilarious," that Parks Department officers claimed the sign that read "No stopping or standing - Fire Zone" applied to them. The two men had stopped during their walk to the subway station, when a Parks Department officer yelled at them "What are you guys doing here?" Eng and Spafford continued to walk, causing an officer to say, "I can arrest you." They were issued a $50 ticket; Spafford argues, "If it were for pedestrians, it would say, 'No loitering,'" while the Parks Department claims the two men were sitting on the ground and that the sign refers to pedestrians. Eng and Spafford think they were singled out because they are gay and "plan on fighting this." Gothamist thinks the ticket has a good chance of being thrown out, especially since the Daily News photograph of the sign does show a sign that looks more like a sign for cars, not people. If you don't want people to stop, there should be a graphic, like an x-ed out circle with a person who is standing or sitting.

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By Jen Chung in News on July 20, 2005 5:03 PM

Comments [rss]

daniel harvey

The Parks dept and police are trying to extend the meaning of standing. The Parks Commish was on NY1 last week and alluded to this new meaning. Some dweeb at the Times even agreed with him when historically it has always meant what architourtured said in the first comment.

More quality of life/revenue stream bunk from the Repub adminstrations. Bah.

so

"The sign also reads 'tow zone,' when was the last time a pedestrian was towed."

It would have been HILARIOUS if the cop tried to tow them.

Joe

I knew a Jason Eng, and if it was the same Jason Eng and I was the cop I would have shot him.

King Hippo

Are Parks department officers actually part of the NYPD? I would assume that real cops are better trained than this...

Dave H.

The absurdity of this ticket is self-evident. One has to wonder whether this had to do with a need to fill a quota or a need to cement a basis for a joke about "flaming" fags being a fire hazard. I acknowledge that cops are probably doing the best they can, but when women are being raped in subway stations and murdered in city parks, it would be nice if they could be a bit more judicious about the disposal of city resources.

optimus

"If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit."

-- Mitch Hedberg

rev pays

forgot to add, the parks commish looks like a big A-hole.

just read the news article, I was right, the parks dept spokesman says the sign refers to pedestrians and cars.

I would put the "racial" bent on this case if I were the defendents.

wmd

I was targeted for a ticket because I was Norwegian. Damn You racist Parks Department! We got rights too! I'm Scandinavian and I'm proud.

b

"...while the Parks Department claims the two men were sitting on the ground and that the sign refers to pedestrians."

If the sign applies to pedestrians (and it absolutely does not) then they should not have been issued a ticket since, as Parks Dept. claims, they were sitting. not standing.

rev pays

black, white, yellow, or blue, this has been happening forever.

I bet the mayor will side with the Park offc, the .gov never admits to any wrongdoing, nor will any real change be made.

for instance, the knapp commission one and two and the 48 hr rule.

they should start a legal fund because it's going to cost and the city needs more money from people who can pay.

Cops Suck

I have always thought a large percentage of cops are power abusive idiots.

This is just more fuel for the fire,

Where are these idiots when real crimes occur?

christopher

What a stupid abuse of power on the part of the officer. The sign absolutely applies to "standing" with a car, which means being parked there with the engine off and a driver at the wheel. They should fight this and the moronic officer who wrote that ticket should be written up

vince

The sign also reads 'tow zone,' when was the last time a pedestrian was towed.

architourtured

This is ridiculous; the sign is a common vehicular sign to prevent cars from blocking the curb and thus blocking access for fire engines.