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

Tuesday’s Headlines Keep Our Eyes on the Road

How much responsibility do tech companies bear for traffic deaths caused by distracted driving?

March 24, 2026

Why This State Is Fighting To Get Its First ‘Active Transportation Plan’

...and why other states should work to adopt or update plans of their own.

March 23, 2026

Monday’s Headlines Are Stuck Behind a Robot

Cities will soon be inundated with autonomous vehicles that will create even more traffic congestion. Are cities prepared?

March 23, 2026

Op-Ed: Don’t Let Fear Flatten Progress on E-Bikes

Advocates react to E-bike legislation in California, New Jersey, and beyond.

March 20, 2026

Friday Video: Guess Which Argument Can Get a NIMBY To Change Their Mind About New Housing

Put your instincts to the test with this fascinating experiment about the power of messaging to win support for urbanism.

March 20, 2026

Friday’s Headlines Took the Road Less Traveled By

And that has made all the difference, when it comes to preventing traffic deaths.

March 20, 2026
See all posts