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Yesterday's NY Post story about an NYPD detective calling up a Chelsea resident about his noise complaint brought in the comments. Jeff Boyle, frustrated that the crews working at a Valley National Bank branch near West 18th and 8th Aveune were coming around 5AM, called Valley National Bank president Gerald Lipkin to complain - on Lipkin's home phone in NJ. Shortly after that, the police went to Boyle's house to investigate and Boyle was told by a detective not to call Lipkin again.
The story touched many chords - residents who are assaulted by noise well before when the law permits construction work to take place, the possible abuse of power by getting the NYPD involved, the lack of progress from 311 complaints driving residents to desperate measures. Now Lipkin speaks to the Post. Lipkin says that the NYPD got involved because "Anyone calling at 5 in the morning is suspicious. He called me at home because he wanted to punish me."
The counter-argument could be that anyone having construction crews start at 5AM is punishing residents, but one reader suggests that calling someone at home is harassment and a fine-able offense. Either way, Lipkin could have taken the opportunity to explain that he does not handle the construction plans and offered his apologies to NYC resiednts, but he didn't - he needs better PR help.
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I like Mr. Boyle's approach! Unless his call was threatening or he called multiple times, the police had no business getting involved. If anything they should have gone to the bank to fine the contractors for working those hours, though I guess that's more for the DOB.
Well Lipkin only has himself to blame.
If he doesn't want people calling him, he should not have a listed number.
I do hope his bank goes under, as it seems like it should. First off we have way too many banks and its president comes off as an asshole.
The smart thing would have been to alert the INS, since dollars to donuts the majority of the people working on the site are probably illegals.
Let's see...crews working at a Valley National Bank = $$$$$$ for the city, frustrated Chelsea resident = no $ for the city.
'nuff said.
Its not like we need another Bank right there since you have tons of other banks in a few block radius. It is scary because I have called 311 because of noise in a different situation and think could happen to anyone.
What would happen if this guy was on probation? He would have went to jail for police contact BEFORE they sorted it out correctly.
so let me get this straight... Lipkin says receiving a phone call at 5 a.m. is tantamount to being punished. Didn't like being disturbed, did he? I'm guessing that was the point of calling at 5 a.m.
Typical Rich people using the world as their garbage can. and the cops follow lock step and all.
where's that raise for cops, ask mr. lipkin to cough it up. Don't want calls? get an unlisted number, nitwit. keep it up guys, keep it up, no one is falling for fear ever again. We will list phone numbers and plates.
Boyle should sue Lipkin and the NYPD for harassment.
It is only harassment if there are three or more traced calls within 12 months, according to Verizon Security Dept.
What is Lipkin's number, so we can all call him twice.
Oh btw #3, where do you live, twit, so I can bang in front of your window at 5 am?
I'm sure that, if the call was made for the friendly purpose of letting the guy know his workcrew was busy at work, it should not be a problem.
;-)
Personally, I love this tactic.