Demonstrating just how valuable free parking in New York City is, a rash of smash and grab thefts has struck areas in Washington Heights and the Bronx, where firefighters have had their car windows broken and parking placards stolen. Most of the thefts have occurred right outside of firehouses, usually when members are called out to a fire, according to the New York Post.
The recent increase in placard jacking began shortly after Mayor Bloomberg pledged to curtail the dashboard ornaments that allow many civil servants to seemingly park anywhere with impunity. The Mayor said that he wants a 20% reduction in the number of placards issued to city employees. Supervision of the placards is pretty loose. The City doesn't even know how many are in existence, but estimates about 70,000. Transportation Alternatives says the figure is probably closer to 150,000 when one counts expired and counterfeit items.
The placards now being stolen outside of firehouses aren't even city-issued. They're given to firefighters by the FDNY's union and only qualify for parking on the blocks around a firehouse. One firefighter told the Post that there had been a few thefts from cops' vehicles as well, and winding up in cars parked illegally in front of hydrants. Considering the level of collegiality between the NYPD and the FDNY, using a police placard to park in front of a fire hydrant doesn't seem like the brightest idea.
The Post even includes this detail: firefighter Anthony Wilcox from Ladder Co. 47 says that he's seen firefighter placards for sale on eBay for as much as $200. We couldn't find any at the auction site, so they must be quick sellers.
Graphic from New York Post
