When I was first married, my wife and I lived in a small apartment on Linden Street in Bethlehem, located across the street from a magistrate's office. As you might imagine, police parked their cars and motorcycles all over the place, legally and illegally, wherever the hell they wanted. That never bothered me. I figured they were there for a reason.That changed the day my wife was ticketed for double-parking. She was unloading groceries. It took about two minutes. The very next day, I went to one of the many illegally parked police cruisers, and stuck a note on a windshield, telling the officer to give himself a ticket. Because I signed the note, it was only a matter of a few minutes before a cop was at my door, threatening to arrest me for defacing government property. I told him to take me in, but he backed off.
Ever since that day, I'm bothered when cops or other government employees flaunt the very rules they enforce on others. I've confronted Palmer cops who park in fire lanes while ordering bagels at the 25th Street shopping center. I've even complained to deputy sheriffs who put "official business" signs in their personal vehicles so they can park just a little closer to the courthouse. This type of behavior undermines confidence in our government, leading us to believe there are different rules for different groups.
I'm by no means the only person disturbed by government officials think they are above the law. In New York City, an entire web page is devoted to exposing city workers who park illegally. In Oregon, a lawyer recently used some arcane law to ticket a cop who parked illegally while getting his lunch. In Philly, Mayor Nutter has clamped down on all the illegal parking by government officials who are near the courthouse.
"Citizen's arrest! Citizen's arrest!"
Locally, East Penn School Board member Mark Prinzinger has no ticket book. But he does have a camera. On Sunday, when he visited Red Robin, two EMTs driving an Upper Saucon ambulance parked next to a fire hydrant and strolled inside to dine. They had a leisurely meal, remaining inside for over an hour and a half. Prinzinger complained to the hostess and was told, "Oh they come in here all the time. They just park there because there is no other spaces close by." I called Upper Saucon ambulance yesterday morning, but the call was never returned.
I can understand if an ambulance is going to park in an illegal spot so that they can leave quick and fast if an emergency arises, but they shouldn't be parking in front of hydrants.
ReplyDeleteWhat really bothers me is when "important" people, especially police officers, park (and sometimes idle) in handicap parking spaces. That's not only illegal, it's morally and ethically wrong.
"quick" and "fast" - same thing - duh!
ReplyDeleteGood post. I firmly agree it does undermine public confidence.
ReplyDeleteIn Allentown we have a standing joke about the police who congregate at the Wawa at 15th & Gordon.
I have seen up to six cars parked there at one time. If you want a cop go to the Wawa. You could get faster response than calling 911.
It is not that they do not deserve a break but it is not good strategically to have so many clustered in one spot at one time.
Who is guarding the city.
BO: Nice post, I couldn't agree more. That ambulence is parked outside a restaurant pretty much every single day at lunch. Those lazy, overweight employees could very easily respond to an emergency from a regular parking spot.
ReplyDeleteMy personal pet peeve: When police cruisers approach an intersection at 35mph, turn on their lights and sirens, proceed through the red light, turn off their lights and sirens, and continue on their business, which is clearly not an emergency. Not only does this flaunt the laws, it is actually dangerous if someone does not have the reflexes to stop themselves from entering the intersection when they hear the sirens coming from what might be a crossroad.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen this in a few years, but when I lived in south Bethlehem and frequently was driving home late at night it was a disturbingly common occurrence.
Chad,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I just noticed you havce two blogs, and will check them out tonight. Fantasy football?
AJ,
You are right. I probably should not be bothered about the small stuff, but think it sends the wrong message.
Squirrel,
Who doesn't love WaWa coffee? I like it better than Starbucks, and it's cheaper, too.
Thomas Jefferson, “Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.”
ReplyDeleteO_o
AJC -
ReplyDeleteIf they have the time to dine for that long, they have the time to park in a legal space.
Chad -
I have seen the police doing this to when trying to respond "silently" to a call. They will use the sirens as needed at intersections further away from the crime scene and not use them at all as they get closer.
I obviously don't know if that was the case in your situation but I thought I'd throw it out.
This is noticed because not everyone has a emergency vehicle for a work vehicle. Just remember how easy it is to point the finger. It is so easy to point out things like this but what about patting someone on the back for a good job. Any emergency job like this takes a special person and is hardwork with a rotating schedule. I would like to thank everyone that takes that job on and Im not petty I dont care where you park.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your post Bernie. There is NO reason to park the ambulance there like that, none at all, except for the fact that the EMS workers were too lazy to walk.
ReplyDeleteMany public safety workers I personally know (my other half included unfortunately) have TERRIBLE personal habits, be it overeating, too little exercise, smoking, drinking, etc.
my favorite, bernie, somewhat close to the topic at hand was the horrible winter of 1996.
ReplyDeletei shovelled out and made it to the nearby Mailbox to get out a few pieces of business mail because the postal routes were closed (don't ask me about the "wind, snow or sleet" ethic).
when i got to the Mailbox, i looked over at the nearby Arby's parking lot and the 6-8 mail JEEPS
sitting there while mail carriers had an extended lunch instead of delivering mail.
isn't it enough that public employees are ripping us of for salaries and benefits? do we have to tolerate their attitudes as well?
"This type of behavior undermines confidence in our government, leading us to believe there are different rules for different groups."
ReplyDeleteSay it isn't so, Bernie, say it isn't so!!! Yeah, it's a shame and a great example of why I ask if the Watchers are watching me then who is watching the Watchers?
Oh, and on a sidebar, I read an "undeground publication" called Allentown-What Went Wrong/What Needs To Be Done by David A. Clark It was an interesting read, to say the least.
All I can say is that exposing injustice and mistakes, whether intentional or unintentional, does NOT earn you many friends in the mainstream. (smile) Let's keep it MOVING !!!
Alfonso
Upper Saucon's Employees are not above the law. Both individuals in that picture will be recieving punishment for the illegal parking. What disturbs me is that of all of the people here complaining, none of you called the ambulance corps or the township to make a complaint. If our "lazy and overweight" employees have been constantly fracturing the law, why is this the first we have heard of it? The employees in that picture don't seem overweight. So anonymous, please if you are going to insult the workers have the intestinal fortitude to put your name down. I agree wholly that it is wrong for any public servants (police, fire or EMS)to skirt the law. I cannot do anything about the police or fire. I can assure you though that you will not get another picture like this in the future. If you do get one. Do the right thing and call the management and we will deal with the persons at fault.
ReplyDeleteanother crappy topic,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate EMTs. They saved my grandson's life several times. But that gives them no right to endanger other lives by parking next to a fire hydrant. I suspect the few that do this give the rest a bad reputation.
You are free to blow kisses at authority. The world is full of those who try to get ahead by complimenting those in power instead of being honest.
medic144,
ReplyDeleteWhat disturbs me is that of all of the people here complaining, none of you called the ambulance corps or the township to make a complaint.
Actually, I did call yesterday. I called the fire company and the township to get the ambulance number. And I called the ambulance corps. Both times I called, I was connected to an answering machine. I asked someone to get back to me. No one did. So you're in no position to claim no one called.
I am glad to see you are taking steps to make sure this does not happen again.
The person who stated that EMTs have bad personal habits is herself an EMT and so is her husband. But that is not my point. My point is that no one is above the law. I'm glad you agree.
They never return calls. They live in their own private fiefdoms-lords and ladies et al.
ReplyDeleteMy partner and I have requested many a report from the Lower Saucon Police who were responding to calls for their assistance. We have a long list of request for the record, some were oral, a certified register mail request (this pertained to a report of who took our mailbox down to harass us, we were told that the Police assisted the harassment) and an e-mail request that was ignored. They even read us the Miranda Act when we reported the stalker years ago.
We have a well documented case against the Lower Saucon Police. Many of the Lawyers who have reviewed our situation and evidence
are flabbergasted at the arrogance they exemplified in willfully ignoring our request. We believe that their silence is complicity and their actions appear to be aiding and abetting the harassers
If John Marganelli is planning on representing ALLTHE PEOPLE, here is a chance to prove it. However we do have our doubts since we believe that his office railroaded us into dropping the "stalking "charges against our neighbor whose affections we rejected.
Hot Potato anyone?
Anon 11:07 -
ReplyDeleteAn ambulance doesn't always fit into a regular parking space. Maybe you've never seen one, but they are a little bigger than most cars and SUVs on the road. They need to be able to make a quick exit, if needed. However, they should not be blocking hydrants or, in some cases I've seen, handicap access.
Bernie, I stand corrected. I went back and you did leave your name. My apologies for the mistake. While the EMT's for the most part are paid, the corps officers are volunteers and are not in every day because of working their full time jobs. This was the delay in getting your message.
ReplyDeleteI do want to set one fact straight. We are not a government entity. We are a non profit organization. We take in donations and bill insurance companies for the revenue to maintain our vehicles, equipment and pay our staff to keep us in service 24/7/365. We reach out to the township for assitance in getting grants and items of the like but we are not run by the township. However we are not happy that this reflects poorly on the township either.
Medic 144,
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Despite the uniforms and ambulance, you are not a government entity. But most of us "civilians" look on you that way. In fact, that's how some folks are able to get away with things.
EMTs have saved my grandson's life, not once, but a few times. So please don't take this as a criticism of the wonderful work you do. I think you understand and in fact actually agree with the concerns expressed by most commenters. That's very reassuring to me.
Also, thank you for acknowledging that I did call.
It is a shame when government thinks it is above the law. This incident is like Northampton County hiring a child molester to work with children and trying to stonewall the incident.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteIn this wonderful country, which I defended honorably, you are certainly allowed your opinions. I rally behind free speech without a hesitation. However, likening someone parking in front of a fire hydrant to a child molester hired to work with children is idiotic at best.
Sort of like you hanging out in the Recorder of Deeds office blogging long after the public is no longer permitted to be there.
ReplyDeleteMedic 144,
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:33 & 8:45 is a troll desperately trying to muddy Stoffa based on the alleged criminal wrongdoing of one of the county's employees. He doesn't give a shit about this topic or anything else. He has no interest in good government or any other issue. With him, it's all about replacing Stoffa.
As far as "hanging out" and blogging from the Recorder's office is concerned, the Recorder allows title searchers to remain after normal business hours. I am far from the only searcher who does this. Twenty years ago, searchers were able to use the recorder's office on weekends, too. All computers and copy machines are off. We do our work and also assist the recorder by scanning old mortgage books for satisfied mortgages so she can get rid of them and save space in her office. We have made it possible for her to get rid of several hundred volumes doing this volunteer work. Incidentally, it's impossible to blog from the recorder's office. The computers there, which are turned off at 4:30 PM, do not have internet access. I do have a friend who lets me use a PC in his office across the street if I need to write during the day. I can also use a library computer, which is open to the public, during my lunch hour.
Bernie -- this is a lot to do about absolutely nothing. There is a difference between on duty emergency vehicles parking in fire lanes and off duty civil servants using their credentials to park where they want. Anyway, I and many have no problem with the on duty EMS guys parking where they did. Period. The difference is that they have a lunch break but are on duty. If a call for someone needing help comes in, they drop their food and have to respond. Also, if there is a fire where the fire hydrant will need accessing... guess what... the EMS guys will know and move their truck! Trying to witch hunt these guys is simply low. As to the Medic 144 guys, disciplining these fellows in response to some blog outing? Come on!!!
ReplyDeleteBernie -- this is a lot to do about absolutely nothing.
ReplyDeleteIt is if you believe in different strokess for different folks. For those of us who are wary of authority, this matters.
I must say I wonder if Gov Corzine ever recieved 2 tickets, 2 fines for not wearing his seatbelt last year. It cost Jersey lots for his recovery.
ReplyDeleteAnon, there is no firing of employees but EMS needs to learn to project a better view of itself...so an occasional written warning is needed. Especially when the township called us to discuss the parking issue.
As a libertarian I don't sweat parking tickets. No one gets hurt. Washing true crimes is wrong though. In Tamaqua, just to name one place, if you're connected (not necessarily a cop) you can get a lot of things to disappear.
ReplyDelete-- Neil Owen
Yes, Corzine paid a $46 fine for not wearing a seatbelt.
ReplyDeletePerhaps more people need to adopt the practices of "Jimmy Justice". Check this guy out on youtube....
ReplyDeletei think that you are stupid. no we don't have the right to do that but look at it this way.
ReplyDeletewhat if they parked a block away from where they were and they get a call that someone needs medical assistance and that they might die then they will have to walk a block to get to the ambulance start the truck and drive to location. by that time that someone could be dead. but ill make sure to thank you when that happens because you made a big deal about something so stupid.
sincerely Mel-Upper Saucon Junior Associate :)
i think that this is stupid. no it is not right that we do that but what if we get a call and we are parked a block away from where we are and we get a call that someone need medical assistance and then we have to walk a block to get to the truck then e have to start it by the time we get to the location the person might be dead. so ill be sure to thank you for making a huge deal over something so stupid and childish.
ReplyDeleteMel- Upper Saucon Junior Associate