Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
DSCN4119.jpg

The sheer size of this vehicle, which I encountered while walking down Court Street in Brooklyn the other day, was what made me stop and take a picture. As you can see, the traffic enforcement officer's head basically just reaches the hood. (Makes you wonder what the driver's visibility is.)

Right, the traffic enforcement officer. I waited to watch her write a ticket for the vehicle, which had been left idling with no one behind the wheel, blocking a fire hydrant and parked a couple of feet out into the lane of travel (it's a sharrow lane to boot), while its owner apparently made a stop in the bodega.

DSCN4118.jpgBut she just kept walking.

"Aren't you going to write him a ticket?" I asked.

"Can't ticket a placard," she replied with a shrug.

I could barely see up onto the dashboard, but there was some kind of placard there. Then I noticed the letters "VAS" on the plates, which apparently stand for "Volunteer Ambulance Service."

You'd think a Volunteer Ambulance Service member would realize that leaving an unattended vehicle idling is unsafe. You'd think someone trained to save lives might think twice about it. You'd think.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Year in Review: What Gave Us Hope in a Dark 2025

Yes, this year was tough. Yes: we're still ending it with hope for the future.

December 30, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Pay Your Own Way

The Trump administration pulled $4 billion in grants for high-speed rail, and now California doesn't want it back.

December 30, 2025

Monday’s Headlines Go to Infinity and Beyond!

A new NASA administrator lets Sean Duffy get back to the his main job, pulling funding for anything not involving cars.

December 29, 2025

Streetsblog Joins Campaign for Public Financing of Non-Profit Media

New York provides tax credits to for-profit newsrooms. Now, non-profit digital outlets, public broadcasters and public access channels are seeking equal treatment. Doing so would strengthen our democracy.

December 26, 2025

Opinion: Why Urbanists Should Support Plant-Forward Policies 

Your plate is political, just like your choice to pedal instead of drive. And often, transportation and food politics have powerful intersections.

December 26, 2025
See all posts