Gothamist: UES Chosen Ones Choose Their Own Parking Placards

LinkMan

Thu, 01 May 2008 15:34:16 -0500

I'm not familiar with the volunteer ambulance guys in the Diamond District or UES, but down on the LES, the volunteer ambulance guys are legit and much appreciated. I see them going on calls all the time (both in their ambulance and in their private cars with VAS plates), and many folks who live on the LES (myself included) would dial Hatzalah before they'd dial 911 in a medical emergency. Synagogue employees getting free parking placards is s different matter, however.

JMZ

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:36:36 -0500

Where's Snoopy??????

burgerdeluxe

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:55:23 -0500

The volunteer ambulance scam is especially bad on the UES and diamond/garment district. The best part is that in Westchester, where in many towns the only ambulance IS the volunteer ambulance, EMTs there don't usually bother with the special plates, lights, and sirens. Some have the useless green light, most just don't bother with special treatment. But in NYC, where these scammers don't go on calls and we have pros (FDNY, hospitals) who are working 24/7 in REAL ambulances, the police/fire/EMT buffs are all over the place. I think the whole mess started with Shelly Silver and Cuomo back in the 80s.

ihateallbrokers

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:35:07 -0500

"Reckless rabbi" busted in amazing TV investigation. http://www.salon.com/ent/video_dog/misc/2007/01/29/rabbi_too_good_for_gridlock/index.html

ihateallbrokers

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:15:23 -0500

burger deluxe, you mentioned the volunteer ambulance service scam! you must live near me, these dopes are constantly flashing their sirens & lights and running reds on a regular basis, never ever actually seen them do anything except ride around like they are above the law.

Bubba

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:34:34 -0500

I'm curious about the legality of the guys in the Diamond District who have police sirens and lights mounted in the grills of their Crown Vics.

wowthatsucks

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:09:34 -0500

Hasids, Orthdox, whatever...how many freakin' new synagogues do you need in one neighborhood let alone one block? The rate of multiple residential teardowns to build mega-synagogues/yeshivas/schools is astounding. How do they get away with erecting 8 story buildings in the middle of 2 story residential neighborhoods? Feel sorry for the poor homeowner who lives next door to one of these who suddenly has to deal with a thousand people every weekend in their once quiet neighborhood. How They're going up faster than Starbucks, WaMU and Commerce Banks.

CR

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:41:38 -0500

#8, 9 - "Just another example of NY Hasids sense of self entitlement. They think they run the city and don't have to answer to anyone." Repeated usage of the word "they" tends to speak volumes about racism. They ALL act with a sense of self entitlement??? ALL building violations are squashed by the mayor's office??? They ALL get away with murder as far as taxes and RE are concerned??? Also, saying the "The 'Sids" doesn't help matters much either.

burgerdeluxe

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:17:59 -0500

Call 311 and complain. You can also try the 19th precinct directly -- all their contact info is at http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_019.shtml It would be great for one of the shame-on-you/problem solver TV types to catch this, and shame everyone involved into doing the right thing and cutting this illegal and unethical perk. The next thing that would be great to tackle are the endless "volunteer ambulance" private vehicles (mostly luxury SUVs) with lights and sirens that park illegally. And wouldn't you know -- just about all of these folks are chosen too. The medical services they actually render in a given year in NYC (especially Manhattan) are probably pretty damn near zero.

Hey NICE GASH

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:46:46 -0500

"#5 - Volumes could be written about what you don't know about the Orthodox and Chasids. Volumes could also be written about your obvious anti-semitism." Not anti-semetic at all. You provide no contrary to the points I bring up. The 'Sids get away with murder in NYC as far as taxes and real estate go, and the Mayor is making parking placards the issue...shocker. It's a fact. Hasidics file their Private and Multiple Dwellings as synagogues so they escape taxes. The alterations they make to their real estate are also ridiculous and dangerous...yet they get away with it.

arsguide

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:30:22 -0500

CR - STOP calling people ANTI-SEMITIC - instead address what the actual issue. I'm so tired of everything thats critical of something people who happen to be jewish do, the debate ends when someone yells anti-semite. You can't talk about parking or 9/11 or Iraq or Iran honestlty. Its pathetic.

CR

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:41:45 -0500

#5 - Volumes could be written about what you don't know about the Orthodox and Chasids. Volumes could also be written about your obvious anti-semitism. Also, Jen, and John, could we have at least one story about Jews without the requiste yiddishism - like "Oy" and "Feh"? This isn't the New York Post.

thenamesdave

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:59:37 -0500

#5, it's not a Hasidic synagogue. Orthodox, yes. Hasidic, no.

Hey NICE GASH

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:36:09 -0500

Just another example of NY Hasids sense of self entitlement. They think they run the city and don't have to answer to anyone. You would all be shocked at what they do to buildings they own. Violations are written but squashed days later when the mayor's office calls down to DOB or FDNY. In places like borough park, almost every hasidic home is exempt from property taxes. They falsely claim to be synagogues yet are all private & multiple dwellings. I love how the city is up in arms about parking permits, yet the Hasids get away with stealing tens of millions from the city and state, and make all the illegal renovations to buildings they wish, without fear of consequence.

west side Michael

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:32:57 -0500

Could be Ivan Boesky's temple??

Toby von Meistersinger

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:41:41 -0500

We aren't sure if they are legal, but the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary has white on red windshield stickers (like you would find issued by suburban towns for parking permits) which you can find on vehicles parked on 13th Street between First and Second Avenues. Although there are some parking regulation signs mention it by name on the street.

Art Stewel

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:31:50 -0500

Oy! Kudos for this story. Dick Tracy should publicise the name of the top cop in the precinct and all the names of the community board and increase the campaign. Shame on the CB and the ticket agents/cops. I love their stones though, but, the Park East employees as well as uncivil servants, should be ticketed and towed, just like you or I.

Toby von Meistersinger

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:19:20 -0500