i don't feel any safer in the city despite the recent crime statistics showing new low record. i mean com'on, this van was parked for several days with "bogus" placard and no officer/traffic agent noticed anything suspicious? someone's not doing his/her job.

I think the NYPD and JTTF did a great job in geting rid of this threat. Although it turned out to be nothing but a van with some clothes in it, I know they were on the ball with their SOP. The van was parked there starting Wednesday morning, not the many days as was stated in the above post. So what does this have to do with civil servants allegedly abusing their power? What plaque was used? Probably some yahoo who thought they might get away with it and have a great view of the ball drop! LOL! Even Browns said it was bogus. Nothing to see here, people. Move along.

I would like to say that the ny post did an article about the van. It seems the van was there fo at least two days. It was filled with knockoff bags and a couple of folding tables. Looks like one of those mobile knock off vendors got smart and tried to use a FAKE plaque. He'l get caught eventually. I still say that teh NYPD and JTTF did a great job.

PROFESSIONAL COURTESY will contribute to the deaths of innocents eventually ... and perhaps already has.

It is just a matter of time before terrorists exploit this gaping hole in security ... not to mention the increased risks associated with blocking fire hydrants, impairment of vision of drivers/pedestrians, constriction of traffic flow, looking the other way when observing a fellow officer engaged in reckless behavior while driving, etc.

And for what? ... a selfish act by a law enforcement officer for some small personal convenience while showing contempt and disdain for the community that they commit the violation or worse?

I agree 100% with hiyall. Parking enforcers and cops are so afraid of violating this green monster of "professional courtesy" (read: perk) among the alphabet soup of law enforcement (and other) agencies in NYC, that they extend it uncritically to any placard or police related ID they see. This incident provides a vivid demonstation of what a monumental waste of police time and manpower can result from the placard perk culture in law enforcement, not to mention a very serious breach of public safety.

As usual Hiyall and Buttle have no clue what they are talking about. First of all every profession has professional courtesy. You two have it your job. I have it in mine. I can park anywhere I please, You can't. That is what the main problem is. If you had that "perk" you two wouldn't be complaining. That is even if you two drive. Second of all: Like I have stated in many responses, If I park where you can't park that will leave a spot for you.

Professional Courtesy in most professions does not involve intentionally breaking a law, ordinance or oath of office; nor does it involve putting others in danger. In your profession, it does.

How do you reconcile that with your straw man fallacies and moral relativism?

I park with a LEGAL placard. I can park where I please. You can't. By me parking at a meter or a no parking or no standing zone with my LEGAL placard does not endanger nobody. I am not breaking the law by parking there. If you park there you are breaking the law and you will get a ticket.

It's LEGAL for you to carry a gun as a police officer. But you can't use it as you please. You certainly can't use it in the commission of a crime. And if all officers used their guns illegally, we'd stop allowing police to carry them, wouldn't we? That would mean the police denying themselves an important tool by abusing it.

The placard is no different. Amazingly, you don't seem to understand how you weaken your own authority (and by extension, your safety and that of other law enforcement) by abusing your powers.

And jeez, will you please stop trotting out that lame "I'm saving a legal space for someone else" fiction. I've snuffed that smokescreen in previous comments.

@Buttle

dragonman is not an NYPD employee, but says he is a Post Office employee. So, really, he has very few privileges, if any, when it comes to parking. He may only park at signs specific to the postal facility where he works, presuming his placard is even valid.

Ok, thanks Law. My point still stands, however.

Again Law you are wrong as usual. I can park anywhere I please with my legal placard which is valid. You do not know what I do for The post office. I don't think you want to find. out.

@Buttle: You can snuff all the smoke screens you want. The bottom line is I can park where ever I want to and you can't.

In my neighborhood, illegal parking has contributed to an injury to a pedestrian. In addition, Dr. Ullman, neurosurgeon has published a study that found that 30% of all trama patients at Elmhurst Hospital are pedestrians or bicyclists who have been mowed down by vehicles. Imagine that - 30%. I have touted that folks are being killed by cars, trucks and buses in my neighborhood - not guns. Of course, there is an abundance of unlicensed, uninsured, unsafe drivers and their vehicles there, as well as, jaywalkers, elderly, youth etc. Ineffective police presence only adds to the dangerous mix of catalytic agents there. In addition, the policy of "political correctness" enables many who visit my neighborhood to ignore not only parking ordinances and signage, but also, stop signs, speed limits and safe driving habits. They come armed with their placards, their arrogance, their false sense of self worth, their willingness to abuse their authority and pals network and make things a lot more dangerous for all.
No amount of denial that there is no danger or that it is okay simply because of the insensitivity and incompetence of others, one is able to "get away with something" will make an unsafe act ... safe, or in the worst case, restore health to one who has lost it due to some sociopath blocking a fire hydrant or the vision of a motorist such that they collide with a pedestrian or due to their excessive speed, they fail to brake in time for a child in a crosswalk.

Note to dragonman:
"I park with a LEGAL placard. I can park where I please. You can't. By me parking at a meter or a no parking or no standing zone with my LEGAL placard does not endanger nobody. I am not breaking the law by parking there. If you park there you are breaking the law and you will get a ticket."

Park illegally, displaying a placard, in my neighborhood such that I notice it, your vehicle's photo will be sent to the appropriate entity of governance for the placard. IAB, conflict of interest board, 311, NYPD, Inspector General or other agency or company. This is a fact. So do us both a favor and save us a lot of time and grief. When In my neighborhood, follow the rules, obey the law and above all, be courteous and safe.

Thanks in advance.
hiyall

Guess what Hiyall. I do park in your area with my legal placard. So complain all you want too.
Thanks in advance
Dragonman

Note to Hiyall. The people who get hit by cars or buses are jaywalking. It has nothing to do with the cars that park with legal placards. So tell the whole story not just what you want people to believe.