Just Out Of Curiosity . . .
How does a firefighter afford a Cadillac SUV? That looks like an Escalade. Prices start at $56,890:
Posted: May 15th, 2008 | Filed under: Jerk Move, The Bronx, You're Kidding, Right?A Cadillac SUV registered to Firefighter Christopher Santana was photographed parked just 3 feet from a fire hydrant on a Bronx street.
And in what seems to be a pathetic attempt to dodge a ticket for the gross — and potentially dangerous — parking violation, a handwritten note was placed on the dashboard alongside a worthless fire union parking placard. “I’m really a fireman,” the note read. “I work in Engine 46.”
“Ask Traffic Agent Maria Daniel,” the note continued. “Thank you for your courtesy.”
The black SUV — boasting the vanity license plate BRAVEST1 — was parked on Van Cortlandt Park South at the corner of Gale Place in Kingsbridge on Sunday afternoon. Neighbors said the car was frequently parked in that spot. It was stationed just 3 feet from the fireplug, far less than the 15 feet required by city law.
“Every firefighter in the City of New York knows not to park in front of a hydrant,” said one high-ranking FDNY source. “Don’t they teach that on the first day of the [Fire] Academy?”
“Could you imagine if a fire engine couldn’t reach the hydrant because of that guy?” the source asked.
Santana, 34, is assigned to Engine 46 and has been with the Fire Department for more than four years, according to an FDNY official.