Unmarked Police Car Blocks Hydrant During Fire

A car parked in front of hydrant this past May

Yesterday morning, a fire broke out in an apartment building in the Fordham section of the Bronx, and when the firefighters responded, there was a car—with an "official NYPD placard issued to cops"— blocking the hydrant. The Post reports "frustrated firefighters had to rely on handheld fire extinguishers to put out the kitchen blaze." Four young children were treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital—and a cat was given oxygen on the scene! While the FDNY said it wasn't clear whether the hydrant-blocking car was a cop's car, "another fire official at the scene told The Post it was an unmarked police vehicle." Still, a Post photographer who tried to snap a picture of the placard itself "was forced to move away by cops." The car was towed and moved to the 52nd Precinct, probably to keep from the angry neighbors egging it—they told the Post, "Why would you leave your car where people need to get water in case of an emergency?" and "If it was an off-duty cop, he should have known better."

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By Jen Chung in News on August 24, 2009 10:35 AM

Comments [rss]

LibHater

make sure all you cop haters give FD a call when your car gets broken into or your house burglarized. i'm sure they'll be happy to respond.

Spirit of 76

Do you really think the cops will do any better? I'll give you 99-to-1 odds that they'll just take a look around and say, "Hey, that's tough. Better luck next time. Buy a better lock."

Manitoba2

That's what happened when my apartment was broken into. Cops came in, looked around, gave me a "better luck next time" and then left (to get donuts presumably?).

I mean, I appreciate the cops out there who are putting their lives on the line fighting crime and drugs, but I'm convinced 90% of the cops are worthless and we'd be better off reassigning those tax dollars to more teachers and FDNY.

ckl

fd is a buncha assholes

cept the dude that gave the kitten oxygen, bless his soul

FrankMartin

You can run the plate and find out who the car is registered to. The Post should show up at his house and ask them to autograph the photo above.

I mean it is an all time asshole move.

yytttt

It is... but if you wanted a photo of a cop parking illegally, causing a dangerous situation for pedestrians and other vehicles, you probably wouldn't have to cross the street. It's 100% typical, it's just this time there actually was a fire. Bet that car parks there every day. This is just one cops special little way to serve and protect the city. Others just shoot people.

FrankMartin

Good point! But "100% typical." Nothing is absolute, except the vodka.

yytttt

I believe in this case saying it "is 100% typical" is exactly the same as saying "is typical," I just used the "100%" for effect, not trying to say that cops park their cars at fire hydrants during fires 100% of the time.

Matt Joyce

To all those recommending the destruction of the car... That could be a CITY OWNED VEHICLE. Aka, yours, mine, and the firefighters tax dollars. It would simply be stupid to destroy it as it's cost would come out of our wallets not the retard who parked in front of a hydrant.

dignam

Had to happen eventually. Almost every day I see the NYPD lording over the city, disobeying the very traffic laws they otherwise enforce with impunity and such utter lack of compassion to all civvies.

Whichever cop illegally parked that car should spend a few days in prison.

valeriob

Is there a chapter on entitlement with a focus on douchbaggery in the NYPD training manual?

Steven

Too bad. The car should have been keyed and it's windows broken. The haves vs haves not. Will the owner of the car pay the towing fee? I think not.

harrisgraber

Still, a Post photographer who tried to snap a picture of the placard itself "was forced to move away by cops."

They were just protecting their own.

whitecastlerock

The firefighter is wearing about 75 pounds of equipment, it is hot and humid outside. Yet he still has the ability to administer oxygen to that little cat. Incredible work...

militza

they do admirable work, no doubt about that. plus, many are smoken (heehee) hot, no doubt about that either!

(yes, they're are still some gals out there that are a sucker for a guy in a uniform.)