Ambulance EMT Staffing Condition Is Sick

This summer, try not to have a medical emergency. It may be more serious than you can imagine. That’s because there will be a shortage of Emergency Medical Service Technicians in New York City. Many have left for higher paying jobs with the NYFD as firefighters. That information comes from Nicholas Scoppetta, NYFD Fire Commissioner. He still maintains however that his ambulance corps will be able to cope with the shortfall with overtime. Pat Bahnken, president of Local 2507 which represents 2,700 EMT’s believes otherwise. Let’s hope that patients don’t get caught short in this juggling act.

Meatpacking District Getting New “Meet” Place

“Gansevoort Plaza” was recently dedicated in New York City. It’s being built at the intersection of six Manhattan streets along Little West 12th Street. It currently includes planters, art, bike parking and seating. More improvements are planned and on the way. A nice idea and a welcome addition to the neighborhood. But, it’s hoped that every possible safety measure will be taken to protect pedestrians and public park lovers. Six lanes of traffic can be somewhat intimidating; and dangerous. Nobody wants to wind up as dead meat just for feeding pigeons.

Rising Gas Prices Spur Other Increases

As gasoline prices rise, gas thefts are coincidentally on the rise, too. In response, many New York car owners are purchasing locking gas caps to protect their valuable fuel. They won’t prevent all gas crimes, but lucky for those it will safeguard. Too bad we can’t lock up all of the thieves causing the price of oil to rise so quickly or the gasoline entrepreneurs that are opening up shop in our gas tanks.

Women Dress “Smarter” For Driving

Many New York City drivers and passengers are still ignoring the law and not buckling up. According to one study, 90% of the females wore seatbelts compared to only 77% of the men. Perhaps women find it easier to color coordinate their clothing with their auto's upholstery than do men? Maybe men want to be prepared to "bail" when they're confined in a vehicle with a woman. It's probably a genetic or testosterone thing. In any case, to all … “Click It Or Ticket!"

Cursing Cops Can Continue

That's what Andrew Case says (politely). Mr. Case is a spokesman for New York's Civilian Complaint Review Board. He believes that strong language can be an effective tool for a police officer to use in certain situations. Surprisingly, the NYPD guidebook instructs cops to be “courteous and respectful.” It does not explicitly forbid profanity. Of 4,024 complaints, only 6.6% were substantiated. In most of these cases, the officers usually received a stern lecture. That’s unf*ckingbelieveable, no? If strong language from a policeman can prevent the need for additional stronger action, it’s probably a good f*cking thing.

Gowanus Water Paints Unique Pictures

The Gowanus Canal has been a polluted waterway in Brooklyn for over 100 years. Artist David Eustace sees it as more of an automated painter’s palette. He creates original artworks by soaking acrylic spray-painted canvases for up to a month in the canal's toxic-liquid brew. Over time, various stains appear on the canvas. When removed from the water, the canvases are dried and displayed. Like the water itself, this “art” isn’t to everyone’s taste. The unique creativity of his approach and the fact that he himself doesn't get a ticket for polluting with acrylics is what makes this story even more intriguing.

The Fix Is In For Tix

Do orange parking tickets make you see red? If so, maybe Glen Bolofsky of parkingtickets.com can help you keep green; as in holding onto money in your wallet. Simply fill in pertinent details from the ticket into the appropriate boxes on the screen. When you’re done typing, cross your fingers and hope that his program can detect a mistake or inaccuracy that you can use as a legal challenge in traffic court. And remember, should you be fortunate enough to go to court to dispute the ticket, put enough quarters in the parking meter!