screwedbyRudy.blogspot.com

After videotaping the NYPD "rigging traffic light" I was about to head home with proof of what I felt was a clear case of entrapment.I needed that video for I had my own red light summons to fight but little did I know I was being surveilled by cops from the adjacent precinct (48th). I started the van and was about to leave evidence in hand when out of nowhere came 2 uniformed cops who wanted to question me and why I was videotaping. I was scared, nervous, but told the truth. I said,"I was videotaping the traffic light at the Bx.Zoo" he replied,"oh did you get a summons"? These cops knew all along that their cop friends(from the 52nd) were rigging the zoo light. I will say this about those 2 police officers they pointed out that my inspection sticker was EXPIRED,I didn't realize that when I set out to tape the police yet they allowed me to leave without giving me a ticket for that expired inspection sticker,phew dodged a bullet there. later that day I received a copy of a letter addressed to the chief of Admistration calling for them to investigate allegations made by me from the Office of the Public Advocate Mark Green. I felt good finally someone with some muscle was getting involved not only on my behalf but all motorists who passed the Bx.Zoo daily on their way to work (thousands). Two days later I brought to Mark Greens office my videotape and was told I'd be contacted. So now all I could do was wait. Hell I had complaints filed with Internal Affairs,CCRB,NYPD Legal dept. and the Public Advocate,yes I felt good about that I did the right thing. My date to appear in Bx. Traffic Court was rapidly approaching. Over the next 3 weeks I began to get antsy,concerned time was running out and no contact yet so, I reach out summon up the courage and decide to call the Police Commissioner himself Howard Safir. I called 1 Police Plaza (NYPD HDQT's) was transferred to the Commissioners office and stated my case/complaint to Sgt.Detective (someone) and asked why in 8 weeks has no action taken place regarding the Bx.Zoo red light trap. Even this high ranking Detective agreed with me,no cop can rig a traffic light or misuse/abuse their authority to write and inflict painful,costly summonses upon unsuspecting motorists hurrying along to work. he asked me where this activity was taking place and do I want the Commissioner Office to investigate. Definitely,I told him and left my name and address wow! I had butterfly's in my stomach but hell I was fighting mad now, so many complaints and Freedom Of Information Requests gone unanswered not investigated all fell on deaf ears or seemed that way, one good thing came my way,my Traffic Court date for Aug 8 1997 was postponed until Jan.27 1998. After calling the Commissioner I now had courage so I decide to call Mayor Rudy Giuliani on his Friday WABC call-in radio show. For 15 minutes all I got a was busy signal and soon gave up. Three days later I stop and talk to my neighbor Ed Lopez he too was a cop. He didn't agree with the cops rigging the traffic light and told me they were still there at the Bx.Zoo writing summonses, was I mad and angry,how could this entrapment continue with all the noise I had been making so again I reach out to the NYPD this time I call the Bronx Borough Command Office (each borough in NYC has one).I speak with Sergeant Jeffrey McGuinness I first ask,"is it legal for a cop to rig a traffic light to go red"a traffic light that left alone wouldn't change (its manually controlled) then hide behind trees and large dense shrubbery and chase after unsuspecting motorists who miss that redlight and issue a summons to them. Sergeant McGuinness says no,a cop is not allowed to do that "where is this happening"he asked. The Bx.Zoo I tell him,now Jeff McGuinness is familiar with this location and explains to me that while the cops can sit in the driveway of the Bx.Zoo Rainey Gate Driveway their not permitted to activate (rig) the traffic light and he will investigate,he too asks for my name and address and I oblige him. Later that day a Sergeant Smith (?) calls me to say he's following up on my complaint to the Commissioners office. The sergeant act stupid and coy he pretends he's new at the zoo when in fact I come to learn that the zoo was his regular beat. I explained how and when the cops were operating from the Bx.Zoo and he also promises to get back to me after he investigates. Now complaints flying everywhere yet no action taken to reign in these corrupt cops. Two more days pass its now Friday August 8 1997 I decide to take a ride pass the zoo out of curiosity. The first thing I see is Officer Anthony DeCoro writing a summons to someone just past the Rainey Gate,I was fuming fed up and made a point of reaching the MAN himself Mayor Rudy Giuliani on his weeklyWABC radio call-in show which helps citizens/residents with their problems. The only problem there was the telephone is always busy since many people each week tried hard to talk to the Mayor.