OK, I admit it: The return of the NYC squeegee men does not exactly rank up there with all the important (and horrific) events of the past few weeks.
But for those of us who suffered through the disastrous years of Democrat Mayor David Dinkins – (Did I mention that he’s a Democrat?), the return of this very annoying and unwanted feature of life in the Big Apple is a big concern.
Via NY Post: Squeegee men are back terrorizing NYC streets
They were the ultimate symbol of the lawlessness and blight of the 1980s and early 1990s — and now they’re making a comeback.
Squeegee men are menacing motorists across New York City, including spots near the Holland, Lincoln and Queens-Midtown tunnels, as well as the Queensboro Bridge….
Residents and drivers who pass through the areas said the panhandlers are spraying and wiping windshields without permission to shake down drivers for cash.
Their sudden return is an ominous sign according to the proven “broken windows” theory that has kept the city safe by having cops crack down on minor offenses to prevent bigger, violent crimes….
The resurgence of the squeegee scourge comes despite Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton’s publicly stated support for a continuing crackdown on “quality-of-life” crimes.
Bratton had run the squeegee men out of business during his first stint as top cop under Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who branded them a “menace” in his 1993 mayoral campaign….
It’s time for Bratton to do it again.
Before the Big Apple turns rotten.
Related:
Lauren Kirchner: Pacific Standard — Breaking Down the Broken Windows Theory
John Tierney: Gotham Gazette — Giuliani’s Legacy: A Change In The Way New Yorkers Think About Crime, Welfare, Quality Of Life, Squeegee Men
The government has failed us. The police have failed us. The answer here, as always, is privatization.
Perhaps this turn of events could spawn a legion of homeless centurions, a sort of informal private security force, that will, for a tip, defend your vehicle against an onslaught of squeegee men. Then, when stuck in gridlock, rather than having their vehicles trashed, travelers instead could enjoy a live rendition of “Bumfights”. This could even become a major tourist attraction. What city other than New York could provide such diversions?
Maynard, back in the day (horrible Dinkins years), as I parked my car in Manhattan, a homeless guy actually told me that for 50 cents, he would make sure “nothing bad” happened to my car.
It’s interesting how the real-world impact of the Dinkins’s and de Blasios, who claim to be on the side of the little guy, merely ushers in the law of the jungle, where the biggest thug comes out on top. And that’s perfectly okay, as long as the ruling thugs are appropriately diverse.
My concern is that our cultural belief in the possibility of functional institutions is fading. We are rapidly becoming as jaded and cynical as the rest of the world.
Shifra, you drive in Manhattan? You are truly brave.
Considering my wife and I almost ended up as collateral damage as witnesses to a cab driver vs. squeegee guy, knife vs. gun fight (we were in the back seat of the cab at the time, outside Port Authority Bus Terminal…thankfully the cab driver was packing illegally in the People’s Republic of Dinkins), this is (personally for me, at least) no bueno.
One sign of entrenched liberal leadership: high local taxes, and the return of the squeegee men. Hide your wife, hide your kids…
I’d just purchase my own squeegee brush and when they approach
show it to them & tell them you’re all set already!
What a nuisance. Sorry Shifra..
I’m sure the eventual outrage will put a stop to this.
Thanks, snewb. I have not yet encountered any of these guys lately, but I really want this nipped in the bud. Under Mayor David Dinkins, it was totally out of control, and we always had to make sure to have a roll of quarters in the car to “feed” these highway robbers. And many of them did not bother to use a squeegee, but used a filthy rag to smear up the entire windshield… Good times 🙁
And Los2000, driving in Midtown Manhattan can be a bit crazy, but there are other areas of Manhattan that are actually fine for driving.
Live from New York, it’s Joe Piscopo, in the Washington Times. WT has an op-ed from Joe this Friday where Tammy’s Friday op-ed used to be. Joe writes that he has been a life-long Democrat, the Democrats have left him, and now he’s leaving the Democrat Party to become an Independent rooting for the Republicans in the upcoming mid-term. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/14/piscopo-confessions-of-a-disillusioned-democrat/
“Did I mention that he’s a Democrat?”
You didn’t have to — but for very different reasons than the media. 🙂
Squeegees were needed Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, Cubs vs Giants. A surprise 15 min. rain fall was not properly handled by grounds crew and the game was called for the Cubs ahead 2-0. Why was tarp not deployed well? Cubs org. reduced hours of grounds crew to escape ObamaCare penalty. Giants protest was upheld, the first in nearly 30 years and game was restarted Thurs. night, Cubs won 2-1. Ocare is hurting The America Pastime game, baseball! Like that it happened in Chicago though. http://nypost.com/2014/08/22/is-cubs-epic-tarp-fail-due-to-obama/