Reply To: Driveway Blocking In Borough Park

BP Totty,

Thank you for your message. You have neatly summed up exactly what’s wrong with the attitude of most driveway blockers. Here it is:

You say, “. . .what if the person had to run upstairs with his 5 year old, to reach the bathroom in time. . .” but you’re missing something very important–that person has no right to use my driveway without my permission. I often ask people who do this the following question, “If you decided that your situation justifies illegal parking, then why not park at the fire hydrant?”

The reason they don’t is plainly and simply because they take advantage of their fellow Jew. They know that the police will ticket hydrant blockers on their own without a complaint but require a complaint to ticket driveway blockers.

Tell me, BPT do you agree with hydrant blocking under the circumstances you describe? I’m assuming you’re not a lawyer, so take a guess: what do you think the odds are of success in using that as a defense to illegal parking at a hydrant? Let me answer my own question: nicht gut.

By the way, you endorse GAW’s statement “It was a mistake, he apologized, Vaiter.” That’s nice. You know how often I receive an apology, or something coming close to an apology? Rarely. So rare in fact that I often have to say to offenders, “Aren’t you forgetting something?” When they look puzzled, I add, “How about saying ‘I’m sorry?'”

You have no right to block my driveway. Period. Disrespect in Borough Park is outrageous. As the owner of a house, I can be subject to tickets for having garbage on the sidewalk. Who is leaving empty bags of potato chips with brand names like Machmirim on the ground? It’s not the day laborers. I’ve stopped yeshiva kids who are littering and asked them where they learned this. They too do not apologize.

By the way, BPT, do you also think someone is allowed to throw a used diaper in my recycled bottles garbage can? I could be subject to a fine up to $1,500 for that. Is that okay with you?