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New Exceptions in the World of Illegal Parking
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 17, 2010
Modified Apr 17, 2010
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 17, 2010
Modified Apr 17, 2010
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We've heard all the stories of placard abuse run rampant, from police cars blocking fire hydrants to judges using them off-duty. But in the past year, the city has cracked down on those abuses by forming a new unit within the Internal Affairs Bureau just for tracking down such offenders. Now, after nearly 1,700 summons issued to those abusers, some cops are complaining that it's getting in the way of their jobs.
After several instances of the NYPD towing unmarked police vehicles in the middle of operations, the NYPD has decided to allow for exceptions: “If you are transporting a complainant or a witness to the court, or to the district attorney’s office, for trial preparation, or delivering a large piece of evidence, then you can call and give I.A.B. your license plate number, and you will not be ticketed, or towed,” said the department’s chief spokesman, Deputy Commissioner Paul J. Browne. All police have to do is get permission from their superiors (or whatever other word one might substitute for that) now.
And oh the irony: many officers complained that the Internal Affairs Bureau "would be better served by homing in on more serious allegations of corruption or serious misconduct.” One City Room commenter, Jamie, didn't miss a beat: "Did NYPD officers just complain about receiving summonses for trivial and picayune reasons and say IA should focus on more serious matters??? Pot calling kettle black, come in pot, kettle calling…"
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cops
nypd
parking
placard abuse
tickets
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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