Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Arsonist Shoe Shiner's Pal Says "Competition is Cutthroat"
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 16, 2010
Modified Apr 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 16, 2010
Modified Apr 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday we reported that 71-year-old John Swain confessed to burning down the Bryant Park Corporation's shoe shine booth not once, but twice over the past month. A few hours later we reported that after being charged with two counts of arson, he was back at his shoe shining station at Grand Central! Both the NY Post and NY Times went to visit the elderly arsonist—who could be facing either a fine or jail time—and there he was, wearing a cardboard sign around his neck with black lettering that read: Shoe Shine.
The Fire Department has noted that Swain was angry that he wasn't permitted to work the Bryant Park booth—most likely by other shoe shiners, who police the booth themselves even though it was put there by the Bryant Park Corporation. Swain's roommate Don Ward, a shoe shiner on 6th and 47th, says Swain believed the BPC's stand was stealing his business, a grudge he may have been holding for some 15 years. Ward told the Times, “The frustration has been building up for a long time. You’ve got to understand something: Out here, the competition is cutthroat, dog-eat-dog. If the other guy is taking your customers, he’s stealing your livelihood, and you can’t let that happen.” Swain says his lawyer has told him not to discuss the case, but agreed with Ward, telling the reporter: “You heard him right.” His court appearance is on May 17th, and he says the facts revealed at that time will improve his image.
Meanwhile, the BPC's Dick Dillon addresses Swain being out on the streets again, saying, "I would have felt he would have gotten something a little more severe. I mean, the guy burns something down and he’s allowed right back out?"
Tagged
arrest
arson
booth
BPC
Bryan Park Corporation
fire
grand central
John Swain
shoe shine
shoe shiner
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Retired NYPD detective charged with murder in George Washington Bridge shooting
Police say a Rockland County man was fatally shot during what appeared to be a road rage incident on Tuesday night.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 21, 2026 at 4:26 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 21, 2026 at 5:43 p.m. ET
NYPD officer faces disciplinary trial 10 years after killing Delrawn Small
Officer Wayne Isaacs will go on trial in January on a charge that he used improper force when he shot and killed Delrawn Small in East New York in July 2016.
By
Ben Feuerherd
News
NYPD officer faces disciplinary trial 10 years after killing Delrawn Small
Officer Wayne Isaacs will go on trial in January on a charge that he used improper force when he shot and killed Delrawn Small in East New York in July 2016.
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYC adult daycare operators charged with committing over $500K in Medicaid fraud
By
Caroline Lewis
Port Authority eyes $117M fix to Manhattan roadway where falling debris smashed cars
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Bronx couple starved their 3-year-old to death, indictment says
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .