Monday, November 23, 2009

NYPD tells park users that illegal activity is ok

From Save Ridgewood Reservoir:

Today I had an experience at the Ridgewood Reservoir which made it very clear to me that the local precincts have no intention to address the ATV problem and, in fact, are complicit in the abuse and destruction of New York City Department of Parks & Recreation property.

I approached the two officers in the van and told them about the ATV riders in the park. They explained that it is "very difficult" for them to pursue the scofflaws "up there" with their van and that the ATV riders always take off. I wondered why they assumed that the ATV owner was in an upper portion of the Ridgewood Reservoir property. I explained that, in fact, they were in the lower park between Highland Boulevard and the National Cemetery. They seemed reluctant to do anything about it, but finally said they'd look into it. I followed them as they left the parking lot heading towards Highland Boulevard. At the intersection, instead of turning left, towards the ATV, they turned right, away from the location and out of the park. They never returned.

By 12:50pm the ATV group had moved their activities higher up into the park, to an area directly adjacent to the reservoir. I called 311. The operator took my information, then transferred me to a 911 operator. At 12:54pm the 911 operator assured me that an NYPD vehicle was being dispatched. By 1:20pm, the ATV party was still in progress and the police hadn't arrived. While waiting for the police I spoke with the only adult in the group, who appeared to be the father of the children and owner of the ATV. He didn't think what he was doing was illegal. I asked if the police ever stopped them from riding in the park. I was shocked by what I was told. They had been told by the police that it was alright for them to ride in that area and to just avoid riding on the running paths and walkways! They also said that all the local ATV riders were given the same information, which would explain the sudden upsurge of ATV usage in the park. I left Ridgewood Reservoir and Highland Park at around 2:30pm. Nobody from the local precinct ever responded to the 911 operator's call.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those things are so dangerous. They are actually illegal in parks and on streets. They tear up the grass something terrible. At the very least you'd think those parents would make those kids wear safety equipment.

Anonymous said...

Any vehicle operated in nyc must be licesed/insured.The rider need s to be licensed.no ifs ands or butts.Next time get the # of the cop car and time.call 1800-pridepd and give them your complaint.You also need to write your assembly,coucil,,cb and the mayors office.Don't forget the the patrol boro command,local and daily papers..In other words,you have to do a lot of work to get anything done these days.........you have to be a pita! God luck.

Taxpayer said...

The Commissar, Benepe and Lewandowski want to destroy the reservoirs so the property can then be transferred to a developer for a shopping center or some profitable use.

To accomplish this destruction, the police have orders from the Commissar to stay away.

Instead of maintaining this natural beauty for the rare treasure it is, for the relaxation of adults, and for the education of young people and a habitat for a large variety of wildlife, this land is to be a sanctuary for developers.

Remember, we have reelected to a third and illegal term, a Commissar whose only interest in life is money. He never saw the recession coming. He was far too busy stealing private property to hand it over to developers. For a commission.

If we lose the reservoir to this predator, it will be our own fault.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps an excellent way to handle this might be to salt ten penny nails in areas where off-road vehicles operate and few people walk.

A few flattened tires and this area will become less attractive.

Anonymous said...

The police brass actually encourages self-innitiative from individual patrol officers. The average sector cop is kept busy with radio jobs all day long, and going after certain summonsable violations that the Patrol Borough deems to be the flavor of the moment (red lights, stop signs, cellphones). The cops the author ran into were probably looking for a quiet spot to have their meal break. They probably didn't expect anyone to come up to them and ask them to address an ATV condition.

Anonymous said...

Correction....in my last post I meant to state that the police brass DISCOURAGES self-initiative.

Auntie Invasion said...

hmmm, are they teaching the jackpot babies how to cross a border with out having to crawl under a fence?

I wonder how much those ATV's cost?

Anonymous said...

I wonder how much those ATV's cost?

Interesting point. Confiscation ought to be an option.

Queens Crapper said...

From what I understand, it is an option.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. I'm guessing there are plenty of Republicans on this blog who endorsed their president's "Hands off" policy regarding banning ATV's and snowmobiles in Federal Parks. So why cry over this one?

Besides as one intelligent person commented in the above "High Line" post, "real parks are for real people" not artists. Aren't ATV's one of the favorite activities of the "real" people? As Sarah Palin might say, "what are you, some kind of faggy east coast elitist?"

Queens Crapper said...

I don't have a problem with banning these in any parks. We pay lots of money to restore and maintain landscapes in parks owned by all levels of government.

Anonymous said...

We pay a lot to maintain the parks..protecting children from permanent brain injury doesn't hurt either.

Notice the child in your video has no helmet. A child that my sister knew put his head through the windshield of a car while bicycling without a helmet.

Although he nearly died, and according to my sister, has a different personality than he had pre-crash, he was back on that bicycle, and without a helmet, before the doctor even cleared him to ride.

What does it take?

Anonymous said...

Confiscation is not an option,it is mandatory.You must then show current registration/ insurance to get it back.Since these vehicles can't be rg/insured,they get auctioned off.Like i said ,abarage of 911 calls will do the trick.Remember the gas and elctric scooters that were all over the 104 years ago? Be a pest and make those luseless cops do something other than txt and play video games.

Anonymous said...

Send/text that video to the nypd.Dad should be arrested for endangering the welfare of a minor.

Anonymous said...

What exactly is the public's problem with ATV riders in the reservoir? That point hasn't made clear. If it's an issue of safety, it's their safety and not yours, so why concern yourself and waste a day tracking their moves.

Anonymous said...

The problem with the ATV's in the reservoir or operating illegally anywhere else is that they completely destroy the soil covering wherever they operate and turn the land into a dustbowl.

They are also noisy and potentially dangerous to others who may be walking or bicycling through the area.

Additionally, if children are endangered by foolishly indulgent parents, this is a public safety issue since minors are a protected class and cannot be expected to have the maturity or wisdom to make safe choices.

Queens Crapper said...

Wow, he really told you!

Anonymous said...

I hate ATVs and its horrible that these parents teach their kids to be lazy and reckless.

Anonymous said...

That area may not be the 104pct.It may be the 75th.

Anonymous said...

What about providing an area for ATV riders who are licensed and insured? Keep it seperate from the reservoir and other park activity area's.

Anonymous said...

Highland park is in the 75th precinct not the 104th. Any complaints about the ATV's must be made there, and since they have a shooting every 10 mins in East New York I'm not sure how quick a response will come.

Queens Crapper said...

Actually, it's in both.

Upper Highland is in 104 land and Lower Highland is in the 75th.

Cherokeesista said...

Where are the parents? And if your suppose to wear a helmut on a bicycle why isn't the kid wearing one? Oh I forgot let him bust his head open and then something will be done:)