MCM Feb 2010: Police pay taxes too
Well massive it was not, with 3 riders. 47 short of needing a permit.
Weather followed the same pattern as it has the last 8 months, a very menacing forecast followed by a downright pleasant evening, slushy streets excepted. Cool but clear, the snow let up but participants stayed away. Maybe the permit ruling scared them off.
NYPD have totally taken over this community party, with a strong prescense including 2 unmarked sedans (1 officer each), 1 unmarked minivan (2 officers), 1 unmarked SUV (2+ officers), 6 patrol cars (1-2 officers each) and 1 interceptor (1, duh). I guess the scooter brigade was also intimidated by the weather. 4-6 uniformed and less-than-uniformed (not naked, but sporting a NYPD beanies or ski-masks) milled about. So that is 11 vehicles and minimun 17 officers mobilized.
Riders and an accompanying documenting party took photos and video of the scene (coming soon!), and had some discussion with the cops. As usual a few classic verbal police maneuvers were put into force against the aural attack from the marauding cyclists (hopefully some video will verify the authenticity of these soon):
One cop asked riders if they would be participating in the 5 Boro bike tour. A CM participant told him about another ride to be held sooner. Mutual disinterest was palpable. Later in the conversation another officer asked him if he was still riding to work. I appreciate that some NYPD officers ride to work. Its a pity that they can't ride at work, especially when their assignment appears to be to police a bike ride. I am certain bikes cost less to fuel and maintain than cars.
When congratulated on the recent judicial ruling in their favor, cops got a bit defensive, stating "its not our law" or something.
Cops were questioned about the wastefulness of tax dollars sending dozens of vehicles and officers out to focus on keeping a small number of cyclists from commiting minor traffic infractions. Two responses were given. First, cops explained that they paid taxes too (on their salary), and made a big deal about paying each others salaries. I suspect the standing around chatting was worth their while nonetheless. The second response was that they were not actually gathered there in mass because Critical Mass was there, but could not offer an alternative explanation for their presence. I find it hard to believe in that coincidence.
There was a distinct sense that they did not care to be there, and this was confirmed when the most talkative of the officers admitted that this was his first mass. One rider asked if he'd be out again next month. He replied that he hope'd not! I hope not too. Not to go all tea-bagger, but this is a waste of precious money that could be used to subsidize epic development projects like the Atlantic Yards!
Police showed great restraint, refusing to follow the 3 riders after a few laps around Union Square. Easy pay-day!
In hopes of making a more massive ride as they proceeded up Park Avenue, CM participants chased savvy and insane fast-food delivery-men who busted reds and salmoned when completely un-called for just to shake the "mass." The ride got within about 20 feet of a 5 cyclist group. This critical fail was followed by some pretty tight lane-occupation up 6th Avenue. Many a large gas-guzzling NYPD vehicle were encountered along the way, but the operating officers seemed higly unconcerned with the rider's complete lack of using the snow-covered bikelane, or even keeping to the right. Hitting Central Park, riders headed to Columbus Circle for some epic snowballing against imperialist monuments situated amongst the swirling car traffic. The words honoring the noble aristocrat who led pale-skinned people to the American continent (and its vast gold and slave stocks) were never so illegible.
Some might say that a Critical Mass of 3 people in New York City is pathetic. That might be accurate, but I hope they had fun doing whatever they did tonight too.
Oh shit I just realized that nobody needs to ride CM anymore, as they can just read about it on this blog. Maybe we can ride on some other Fridays?
Weather followed the same pattern as it has the last 8 months, a very menacing forecast followed by a downright pleasant evening, slushy streets excepted. Cool but clear, the snow let up but participants stayed away. Maybe the permit ruling scared them off.
NYPD have totally taken over this community party, with a strong prescense including 2 unmarked sedans (1 officer each), 1 unmarked minivan (2 officers), 1 unmarked SUV (2+ officers), 6 patrol cars (1-2 officers each) and 1 interceptor (1, duh). I guess the scooter brigade was also intimidated by the weather. 4-6 uniformed and less-than-uniformed (not naked, but sporting a NYPD beanies or ski-masks) milled about. So that is 11 vehicles and minimun 17 officers mobilized.
Riders and an accompanying documenting party took photos and video of the scene (coming soon!), and had some discussion with the cops. As usual a few classic verbal police maneuvers were put into force against the aural attack from the marauding cyclists (hopefully some video will verify the authenticity of these soon):
One cop asked riders if they would be participating in the 5 Boro bike tour. A CM participant told him about another ride to be held sooner. Mutual disinterest was palpable. Later in the conversation another officer asked him if he was still riding to work. I appreciate that some NYPD officers ride to work. Its a pity that they can't ride at work, especially when their assignment appears to be to police a bike ride. I am certain bikes cost less to fuel and maintain than cars.
When congratulated on the recent judicial ruling in their favor, cops got a bit defensive, stating "its not our law" or something.
Cops were questioned about the wastefulness of tax dollars sending dozens of vehicles and officers out to focus on keeping a small number of cyclists from commiting minor traffic infractions. Two responses were given. First, cops explained that they paid taxes too (on their salary), and made a big deal about paying each others salaries. I suspect the standing around chatting was worth their while nonetheless. The second response was that they were not actually gathered there in mass because Critical Mass was there, but could not offer an alternative explanation for their presence. I find it hard to believe in that coincidence.
There was a distinct sense that they did not care to be there, and this was confirmed when the most talkative of the officers admitted that this was his first mass. One rider asked if he'd be out again next month. He replied that he hope'd not! I hope not too. Not to go all tea-bagger, but this is a waste of precious money that could be used to subsidize epic development projects like the Atlantic Yards!
Police showed great restraint, refusing to follow the 3 riders after a few laps around Union Square. Easy pay-day!
In hopes of making a more massive ride as they proceeded up Park Avenue, CM participants chased savvy and insane fast-food delivery-men who busted reds and salmoned when completely un-called for just to shake the "mass." The ride got within about 20 feet of a 5 cyclist group. This critical fail was followed by some pretty tight lane-occupation up 6th Avenue. Many a large gas-guzzling NYPD vehicle were encountered along the way, but the operating officers seemed higly unconcerned with the rider's complete lack of using the snow-covered bikelane, or even keeping to the right. Hitting Central Park, riders headed to Columbus Circle for some epic snowballing against imperialist monuments situated amongst the swirling car traffic. The words honoring the noble aristocrat who led pale-skinned people to the American continent (and its vast gold and slave stocks) were never so illegible.
Some might say that a Critical Mass of 3 people in New York City is pathetic. That might be accurate, but I hope they had fun doing whatever they did tonight too.
Oh shit I just realized that nobody needs to ride CM anymore, as they can just read about it on this blog. Maybe we can ride on some other Fridays?
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