screwedbyRudy.blogspot.com

This blog is on vacation

2005-12-28T23:34:00.000-05:00

Recently,the NY.Daily News requested in writing permission to use their copyrighted stories. I am temporarily shut down but will be back in Jan 2006.

my first big blog mistake

2005-12-07T03:22:00.000-05:00

After writing for 2 hours I attempted to correct a word not realizing the pop-up said,"do you want to navigate away from this page" I hit ok !! wow, gone 2 hrs. of soul searching wiped out.
I hate myself for doing that.

From obscurity to the limelight.

2005-12-05T23:37:00.000-05:00

I was a very low profile guy from the Bronx. Minded my business,kept an eye on the neighborhood,voted,made few dollars and had no bad habits. I didn't expect the notoriety from the press,lights camera action and all that but I also never expected Mayor Rudy Giuliani to fish out of dead storage a 13 yr.summons and have me arrested for it Rudy failed to mention Jimmy took care of ALL his tickets in 1986, I still have evidence of that restoration from DMV,then Rudy order up my police record (Rudy had me investigated!) then they called the press. All this was done through the NYPD Commissioners office and NYPD office of Public Information (Mode's office). Luckily,I had the support of the press and the public. Strangers who saw my story would shake my hand. One woman said, as she hugged me,"I want to have your baby" (LOL). In a local pizzeria, the owner recognized me and treated me to a slice on the house. I did feel the "celebrity" but felt shamed by a sordid past, but that was my cross in life to carry. I didn't need Rudy to tell the world my life's criminal history. All I wanted was an answer to a policy,"is this legal ?" No doubt, it wasn't a legal practice otherwise Rudy would have continued the redlight trap in spite of the exposure.
Still,there was more to be done here. New investigations were launched into the attack by some top ranking police officials,many would be called to give depositions. CYA(cover your ass) was in play. Mayor Rudy continued to get peppered about the arrest of that Bx. Man and Rudy
continued to blame the press for not digging up the dirt from my life and reporting it,(LOL) Rudy surely was angry at me. I unintentionally made him look like the "tin pot terrorist" Jim Dwyer wrote. I have to thank the press,they gave me support I needed. They saw my past was not the issue,but the Bx. Zoo redlight trap was, followed by my arrest, then the malicious release of sensitive documents. Rudy was successful in diverting attention away from the issue,"the redlight", remember 4 people died there in 2 accidents. Having to stop suddenly while traveling at 30/40/even 50 mph is dangerous. Car A stops,Car B, not prepared for your sudden stop jams on his brakes and still rear ends Car A. a minor collision happens. In a worse case scenario,Car B drives right through Car A' s trunk and kills the occupants. There was no safety for motorists here, only a lifting of 125$, plus. It was a Cash Cow,being milked daily and I killed it. The following day I was contacted by NBC-Dateline. Ellen Burns (producer) and I talked for 30 minutes. She asked what it felt like being "screwedbyRudy". I explained to Ms.Burns that Rudy bashed me for being honest. Everything I described on radio with Rudy was truthful,the cops dropped the ball. All this could have been avoided if Internal Affairs had investigated my complaint, but no, on the day I called Rudy police were still writing tickets. It needed to be stopped. The Mayor understood the ramifications of supporting me,so he went with plan B,find some dirt and be prepared for a story. I can't understand why Rudy went beserk and condoned my arrest and release of my police history,he's a tyrant who as President could not be trusted to protect "We The People". Dateline and I agreed to an interview either at the Hilton,Sheraton or my neighbor's home. I went to Bernie's house. One week later Ms.Burns and her crew show up at my apartment and for the next 5 hours we filmed the Bronx Zoo Story. Ms.Hota Kotbe was the correspondent,she was very professional, she had me relax and allowed the story to flow. I was thrilled and held my head up high I knew I did the right thing ,off camera the Dateline crew thought I was a brave soul. (that interview sits on the shelf today). The NYPD refused to comment to Dateline regarding the story, ( as usual) but Mark Green added his opinions regarding Mayoral abuse of power. City Hall also refused to comment about the "campaign of harassment" against Jimmy.

The Public Advocate"s Office demand an investigation

2005-12-04T22:16:00.000-05:00

Behind the scenes, Mark Green and staff members were outraged by a Mayor who seemed to have crossed the line. Green," Demands Mayoral apology for Jimmy--And Investigation Into Who Authorized the Arrest and disenfranchise Following Complaint."4th World Governments
Arrest and Bully Critics,Not Mayors in a Country Providing First Amendment Rights to Whistleblowers,"says Green. In a scathing letter sent to Mayor Rudy Giuliani Green assailed the Mayor for a "campaign of harassment"against a Bx. man who came forward and exposed a redlight trap that entrapped motorists who otherwise would not have ran that light.Green goes on to say,On the day Jimmy spoke publicly about the trap he was arrested on a 13 year old ticket. Two days later,NYPD publicized Jimmy's police record arrests and convictions all dating back 15 to 30 years. Even worse,"a police spokesperson (Marilyn Mode) falsely described Jimmy's record saying that he's had convictions for serious crimes for which he was never convicted. When confronted with her false and damaging information, her only response was to say,"it was unfortunate". Shameless bitch that Mode was. She was Howard Safir's (NYPD Commissioner) hatchet lady.
Green:"The release of criminal information in this manner is an extremely serious matter,"Green wrote the Mayor,"The police department has access to and the use of the criminal database for law enforcement purposes,not for the purpose of muscling and silencing critics. The unauthorized use of this information may, in fact, constitute the crime of Official Misconduct under the Penal Law.(All documents will be posted as soon as I find help or learn). Months later a Judicial Inquiry would be held to determine if Rudy violated the State's Charter. The decision has been kept under seal. Hmm!
While at the press conference I was given some time on camera, I asked Rudy for an apology (LOL), 3 weeks has passed since I spoke with him on WABC. My mom also asked for an apology from Rudy but none was coming. Irregardless of my record,it had no connection to the issue. Were cops rigging a traffic light to go red? Was it legal? Was Jimmy arrested for speaking out? Was Jimmy's arrest record a valid "fair game". Reporters aren't required to do a background check on anyone with a story. My complaint was verified,there was videotape,the NYPD didn't dispute the video., So why the cheap arrest that couldn't be adjudicated. A 14 year old summons that fell through the cracks cannot be enforced. Hey, I got a new driver's license in 1986 and been renewed 3 times. If you have a traffic warrant on file you can't get a driver's license in NYS. So, with this story me and my mom are pictured and we ask Mayor Rudy Giuliani for an apology for ordering this "hit"upon my character. Rudy failed to tell the public in 1986 I stepped up and prevented an arson. The two perpetrators was later caught with the information I supplied.These guys tried to torch a car on a residential street with 2 gallons of gasoline, the target car though was Chief Joe Calzerano and not his ex-girlfriend how ironic. Detectives,Fire Marshals, Arson Squad. Three hours later these guys were arrested and identified by me. I should have received a "Civilian Commendation" but I didn't but still continued to look out for my community. We didn't hear Mayor Rudy Giuliani mention that. (more tomorrow)

August 31 1997..A World Tragedy

2005-12-03T01:12:00.000-05:00

The news was grim. Princess Diana has died in a deadly car accident. The Mayor ran into some
luck, my story (5 days running) was picking up the attention of editorial boards at the Daily News, they supported me. They felt Rudy crossed the line and he himself might have committed Official Misconduct but who would challenge the great crime fighting Mayor? I said a prayer for her, it was all I could do. We lost a real gem that day for Princess Diana had won my heart with her beauty and her mission,her cause to eradicate land mines in foreign countries. Even I had to set aside my problems for they seemed insignificant at the time. Tomorrow would be another day. The following day (Labor day) Mayor Rudy visited the scene of the crime. He brought along with him his puppets,Police Commissioner lightweight Howard Safir,his Deputy Commissioner Marilyn Mode,also in attendance was D.O.T. Commissioner Christopher Lynn,
Katherine Lapp was there as well as Sunny Mindel (Rudy's press secretary). They all joked and laughed at the veracity of my claim. DOT Lynn says,"what the cops were doing was equivalent to a mother leaving the zoo with her kids". Wrong, the mother didn't back her car up 30 feet and hide behind trees and bushes like out brave cops did. Rudy was center stage fielding questions
about the legality of the policy. Remember, 4 people died at the Gate entrance/exit. Was Rudy
concerned about them? I don't think so. But what surprises me is that if the policy were truly legal,why stop? Why not continue to rig the light? Why did Rudy order Howard Safir to keep them cops out of the Rainey Gate? The administration realized the ramifications of the redlight trap. Imagine the lawsuits that would have followed had Rudy supported me. The rush to clear
out the summonses already issued was on (more on that later).

NY.Daily News retracts their lies.

2005-12-02T00:57:00.000-05:00

After 5 days of madness,I wasn't used to being the story. Having given numerous interviews and explaining "in spite of my rap sheet" I was, a well liked person. I kept a low profile, made a few honest dollars shuttling elderly people to and from doctor visits,I did some yard work, and I kept to myself. I had a summons to fight. Now that I was "outed" by Rudy and lies covered the
local daily papers as well as TV news I had reached out to the Daily News and explained,"you can't print these lies. The following day,8/30/97 the News retracted the mis-truth about my past (BTW this incident happened in 1975 more on her later). The Bi-line read,"Tattler got a bad rap"by cub reporter Michael Finnegan. Snip: a Deputy Commissioner ADMITTED yesterday that she had FALSELY claimed a Bronx man who blew the whistle on a traffic light speed trap has been CONVICTED of sodomy and burglary charges,Marilyn Mode Deputy Commissioner for Public Information said,"she had been mis-informed"about Jimmy's criminal background but stopped short of issuing an apology. It was UNFORTUNATE she said. The admission was a BITTERSWEET victory for Jimmy. I say,where is the incentive for a regular person to come forward and report police misconduct. Catch the police on videotape and they dig up an old bench warrant. And then that wasn't good enough,they had to SMEAR me with false allegations that hurts to this day. I had conceded I have a long history with the NYPD,including drug convictions (weed,pills) but there was no need to publicize them. Gerald Lefcourt,President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers said, it was improper for Mode to release Jimmy's criminal record "for the purpose of discrediting him." Rap sheets are supposed to be used only for criminal investigations and court proceedings,he said. Joe DePlasco,spokesman for Mark Green said," if I were her,I would think twice about before I dig through ancient records and dish out dirt about other New Yorkers who complain about Police misconduct. Finally some sanity in this ongoing ordeal. Hell, I had a summons to fight. Now I have a stigma,a bigger problem,a scarlet letter,my own dirty past came back to haunt me. And a 125.00 dollar ticket to fight...I could not count on Rudy for any relief from that summons. I was Public Enemy No.1 to
Mayor Rudy Giuliani... I bet if this was George Bush I was dealing with I'd be in Gitmo.(lol)

Rudy Giuliani,"This is my City"

2005-12-01T02:38:00.000-05:00

After 48 hours of criticism regarding the "rigging of the traffic light" and my arrest on an old bench warrant Mayor Rudy Giuliani struck back at me in a vile,vicious,ruthless and reckless attack on my past. Rudy fished out of storage my NYPD "rap sheet". Yes,I have a history with the Police Dept. here in NYC,so what? What I did in the past 20/30 years prior, was not the issue. It was my neighbor who first alerted me that WCBS radio was airing selected portions of my criminal history. But why? Why the low blow by Rudy? Was the zoo trap illegal? Was Rudy and the NYPD upstaged by a career criminal so incensed, that they "dirty me up" with my past? By the way, I was tailor made for this Mayoral bashing. I had the proof cops rigged the light and Rudy distracted the NYC publics attention away from the REAL issue ( Bx.Zoo traffic light) with my rap sheet. Here is what I heard on WPIX later that night,Rudy standing on City Hall steps says," I'm not going to tolerate any more police bashing,that man who videotaped the police is a career criminal who's been convicted of sodomy and burglary,he's been arrested 17 times and has 11 convictions but the Daily News didn't tell that to you, but I did. They(reporters) have developed a romantic attraction towards Jimmy, they didn't tell you Jimmy has an ax to grind and I'm not going to allow the police to be criticized by the press because Jimmy is no good". Wow ! Imagine my horror.A major politician has just (metaphorically) gave me a royal screwing,right up my rear! I hated him for that total disregard of my privacy. No one is publicly allowed to see a rap sheet unless its an investigation for a lawful purpose. Mayor Rudy Giuliani caused me a have "bad night". The following morning I read the NY Daily News and there it is,in print. What a louse that Rudy is,go to him for help because NYPD failed to investigate, have proof of your claim and Rudy becomes a "psycho", a madman with high powers who crushed his critic. I was angry after reading those lies. I called up the Daily News and spoke with the Executive secretary for Editor Pete Hamill. I said,"you can't print this because its not true. While an allegation was made back in 1975' the News and Rudy couldn't call me a convicted burglar or sodomizer. Never happened. I demanded a retraction or lawsuits will follow. I called City Hall and told Mr.Sorenson Chief of Staff that Rudy owed me an apology. They both would get back to me. Later that day I found myself at Jacobi Hospital Psych ER. I needed to talk to someone. When the clerk asked me what's wrong,"I say,"I feel like jumping off a bridge" she instructs me to put a gown on,that's when I begin to leave and was soon surrounded by 7 security guards who were willing to muscle me into that gown but fortunately the Doctor appeared and escorted me into a room where we spoke for 90 minutes. I felt horrible
I felt like I was "RAPED" by Rudy. I was sick... Imagine my grief, I did the right thing during the summer of 1997. I had a compelling story and complaint with proof. I also had a redlight summons to fight. I called around looking for answers but none came so I called Rudy. That scarlet letter is haunting me even today.The doctor gave me some comfort and some medications and sent me home. During the day the Office of the Public Advocate called me to offer up some attorney's names. They tell me Rudy might have committed Official Misconduct
and violated my Civil Rights so I should call them and see who might want to file a lawsuit.

Local Media comes to my rescue..

2005-11-30T03:10:00.000-05:00

Our intrepid crime fighting Mayor understood the ramifications of supporting me. On one hand,if the Mayor took the position against the NYPD's actions at the Bx.Zoo and decided it was
wrong to activate a traffic light and then hide behind the trees and shrubs and ticket unsuspecting drivers (thousands over 6 years) he'd would have a serious problem. Undoing the wrongs by the police would require tons of paperwork,millions of dollars in returned fines and don't forget 4 people died in traffic accidents at the zoo gate,most likely by the sudden stopping of traffic by these wicked cops who found a "good thing" at the zoo. The Police Commissioner had the same dilemma. They sure as hell wasn't going to "give back anything" for it would open a Pandora's Box and a rush of defendants wanting their money back as well as points removed from their driver's license and any insurance hikes caused by the unjust actions of a few bad cops. Rudy was a former US Attorney a knew a can of worms when he saw one. On the other hand, Rudy being aware a "stinker " of a bench warrant with my name on it from 1982, was his way out of this hot button issue,1997 was also an election year and with the Abner Louima "(plunger up his rectum) " still in the news my case just complicated matters for him. But how to save face? Fortunately for me the press was on my side,they believed, as well as the Office of the Public Advocate that arresting a critic who reported police misconduct was uncalled for. In 2 day I'd learn why I was arrested,jailed and then quickly released.(I was being set-up).
If anyone knows how to help me scan and file into this computer please reach out to me.I'd love
to post the newspaper stories. Rudy will continue to come under fire from the local media. Meanwhile the Public Advocate calls for and submits a written request into the arrest of Jimmy
for speaking out publicly against Rudy and His cops. That same day Jim Dwyer a four star editorialist for the NY.Daily News calls me for more information and writes a scathing story denouncing Rudy,it's titled,"Tattler's ticket bust bad signal for NYPD"Dwyer begins with this. Only One honest explanation exists for the arrest of Jimmy,he was being punished for criticizing
the NYPD. Jimmy spoke out against a redlight trap set up by Bronx cops. Hours after Jimmy's complaints made the front page,2 police sergeants were at his door putting him in handcuffs. They had suddenly discovered Jimmy didn't pay a ticket in 1984. The case was tossed in 90 seconds. This was not a couple of sergeants playing a game of freelance tough guys. This banana republic clown act was cleared at the highest ranks of the Police Department in 1 Police Plaza.
After Jimmy took his complaint to Mark Green the police suddenly took an interest in Jimmy's ticket from 1984. When Jimmy was issued that redlight ticket 8 weeks earlier no one made a fuss but when you go to the press,watch out ! Dwyer continues, no one applauds someone running a redlight,if there is a problem then fix it. Instead, it is obvious no one cares about safety. This is yet another gimmick for running up traffic ticket tallies with the cops behaving like "Smokey and the Bandit" rednecks in a two bit speed trap. This is more subtle than a plunger in the rectum. But it is still the act of a police department behaving like "tin-pot terrorists". The following day I called Jim Dwyer and thanked him for the support but more was soon to come. This time Rudy will metaphorically "stick the official NYC plunger up my rectum"

What was Rudy Giuliani thinking?

2005-11-29T23:21:00.000-05:00

Wednesday August 27,1997..I spent the night wondering why I was arrested on that old warrant, McGuinness found it early in his investigation of the Bx.Zoo light but it didn't concern him or Rudy since there were no media stories in print YET, why alert Jimmy to an old dead warrant that is unenforceable. I was up early and waited for my newspaper. When it came
I saw immediately my picture (page4) exiting the police car with McGuinnes and Sgt. Gang hand on his gun. the story was aptly titled,"zoo signal snitch busted". The NY Times had a story, "man who videotaped police arrested on old charge" and add this "NYPD reject charges of entrapment at zoo" and NY Newsday also had the story of cops
rigging the traffic light and arresting the man who called Rudy on his talk radio show for help. Later WOR-Channel 9 and WPIX (now UPN) called me for an interview. The one thing inn common about the coverage was it all made Rudy and his police dept. look like, as Jim Dwyer put it,"tin pot terrorists" operating out of a banana republic. Why the rough treatment of Jimmy? Were the cops guilty of mis-conduct? Did Rudy order Jimmy's arrest? This Bronx Zoo
traffic light became a hot issue? During the Mayor's Daily Press Briefing the subject of my arrest came up.
Reporter: Were the police a little bit overzealous arresting Jimmy on a 13 year old warrant?
Rudy: I was not involved in that arrest. So I can't tell you if it was or wasn't uh,overaggressive or not overaggressive. They would really have to tell you that. I was not involved in deciding it, I don't know the background of it.
Reporter: Did you get involved in deciding the arrest?
Rudy: Do I decide(Mayor is laughing)? No. Very rarely. If it's a case of,if it's of major importance to the City, I might have some involvement in that. After all, the Mayor ultimately is responsible for the Police Department. I mean, the Mayor is ultimately responsible for what happens. If it were a terrorist case,a case like the shootings on the Brooklyn Bridge..Um,in this particular case,in the Louima case I went out front, and demanded that police officers come forward, and explained to them what I thought if they didn't come forward. That would be a rare thing to do. But I thought it would be helpful given the knowledge that I have of uh,police mentality and police thinking, the background I have as having been a former uh,United States Attorney,I thought it would be helpful if they heard me, in all the precincts in the City say, you better come forward, otherwise you don't understand what it means to be a police officer. I thought it would have some effect. I thought it would have effect if the Police Commissioner did too. But I thought it would add something to it if the mayor said that, and I think it's helped.
Reporter: Bronx traffic light (inaudible) Videotape of that light
Rudy: Yeah,I, the Police Department has analyzed that,and the Police department has a different conclusion that they were engaged in a valid enforcement exercise that is being unfairly characterized. So, I have to, I have to leave that up to the Police dept. and the citizens to resolve. They both seem to be making a point. I have no reason to believe that the Police Dept.is wrong about it. if I did I would then,you know get involved in it. But the Police Dept. says they were involved in a valid law enforcement exercise that is being misrepresented in a way that that it...it's being presented.
Rudy: I actually got this complaint on radio,and turned it over to them,and that's what started all this. But since I turned the complaint over to them (NYPD) I've stayed out of it,I've left it up to them...(documents will later show it was Rudy and the Commissioner who ordered my arrest)

Tarred but not feathered...YET

2005-11-28T19:02:00.000-05:00

Sergeant McGuinness explains to me in 1982 I was stopped for speeding,unlicensed,suspended,
and something else.Ok, that did happen. I was issued 4 more moving violations,that now added
to a total of 15 tickets I needed to one day look into.Back in the 70's and 80's NY'ers could easily
rack up hundreds of suspensions and still drive. Sort of like when people got stopped for DWI but not given a ticket cops just let you drive off telling you to be careful and get home safely.
Four years pass and I decided to clean up my driver's license. In the spring of 1986 I go to the
Bronx Traffic Court to see just how many tickets I have filed against me. After waiting an hour in line I go to the window and explain,how do I go about cleaning up my driver's license. She does a computer search and begins a printout and it continues and prints,and prints,wow! When
it stopped I had 19 moving violations to address. The next move was finding the money.I needed about 400.00 to pay these tickets then I would have to had convinced the judge I was worthy of a new license.,first the money.
Over the next 3 weeks I did some work.Yard work, some home contracting work,I now have the cash and was ready to apply for a new driver's license. I go back to the court and a new
updated print-out of my moving violations was needed. So, the agent puts my name in the computer and the computer comes back>"no hits". Wow! What does that mean? I show him the print-out from 3 weeks earlier showing 19 tickets but his current computer shows "no hits". I am directed to go upstairs and meet with the Chief Clerk. She too is puzzled as to why there is no record of any moving violations, she takes my copy of tickets from 3 weeks earlier and goes into her office, so I wait. About 45 minutes later, she emerges and says," it's your lucky day,go file for a new driver's license".It seems the computer purged all my moving violations from the databanks
and left me with a clean history. It was truly a lucky day.So I file for my license,whiz past the
written test and the road test (agent wrote,excellent driving skills),was given a new temporary and a few weeks later my brand new driver's license. It was like gold to me,the only thing of value in my life and I intended to keep it clean.I wanted no shady redlight conviction on my record.
August 26 1997 3:pm I walk out of Bx.Criminal Court a free man,an angry man. McGuinness wouldn't even drive me home,he was acting in concert with NYPD brass from One Police Plaza
arrest Jimmy ????????? and tell the public he didn't pay a ticket from 1982. He and his buddy (Gang) will be in the following day's Daily News.
As I walk up my block I see Channel 5 Fox. and Donna Faducia greets me and asks,did the police arrest you?.I had called from the 49th precinct to alert Mark Green's office I was in jail. What many Americans outside NYC don't realize about our "system" is you can be lost inside the system for 6 days. I feared the worst, but McGuinness promised me I'd be, "in and out" within reason 3/4 hours. He kept his word.
The Daily News was back for a follow up as was the NY Times. Mayor Rudy wanted some payback and the opportunity to "smear me" later in the week. They went to great lengths to find my dirt. Even ran me through Interpol. Blow the whistle on Rudy and your arrested ! I had some day and I needed to rest my mind. McGuinness 10 days earlier had discovered this stinker
of a warrant and didn't ask me if I had taken care of my prior summonses, which in 1986 I did.
My license had been renewed 3 times in 12 yrs. Yet no hits,no warrants ever surfaced. I later find out that warrant was fished out of dead storage where all dead issues/summons reside. Mayor Rudy Giuliani breathed new life into that dead warrant and resurrected it and sent the police to my door to execute it, in case of a major story. All newspaper and video's will be posted/linked soon as I learn how ...

That Andy Warhol Feeling 15 minutes of fame.

2005-11-27T23:38:00.000-05:00

Tuesday 5:40 am, I was listening WABC am radio and hear this,"the Daily News is reporting cops are monkeying around with a traffic light at the Bx.Zoo, the News reports cops would set off a motion detector,trigger the light and then backup into their lair, thereby entrapping drivers who miss the redlight." He goes on to say,the cops were meeting quota's while creating a more dangerous situation " the NYPD doesn't deny the practice, ( I had videotape) but said an investigation will begin into MR.?????????'s complaint. My redlight ticket May 28, 1997 (also Rudy's birthday) had made the "front page" I had eagles in my stomach, sort of like OMG!. My newspaper was delivered at 6am and to my astonishment there it is. Front Page,in 3 inch type
"GOTCHA" cops tricky light show. All I wanted was answers "can this be legal"and here I am.
Next surprise,Donna Faducia Channel 5 Fox news called for an interview at the Bx.Zoo. Yes,I agreed and at 8:00am I was "live" with Dick Oliver Ace Reporter in NYC, discussing the tricks played by 3 particular cops. It's not like the whole precinct went to the zoo to meet quota's just these 3 named corrupt cops who allowed their friends a"get out of a ticket card" one cop took women's names (if she was good looking or easy..) he'd let her go,no ticket but probably a phone number. Also. These cops lied their butts off in traffic court (more on them later). As we were speaking the Fox-5 Helicopter was overhead capturing LIVE my interview at the zoo. Showing
all New Yorkers how these cops were screwing the public. I stepped up when I saw police mis conduct I reported this abuse to various agencies and no replies but one call to Rudy and action was taken. For more than 6 years these cops routinely victimized motorists on East Fordham Rd.but after public attention this policy is dropped. Rudy would later say, "cops were just doing their jobs,making the road safe." Daily News will later debunk Rudy's claim. Dick Oliver saw the
larceny in the police action,hiding their patrol car behind dense shrubs. People going by were "honking their horns for victory" finally someone brought attention to the beast from the Bronx
I was kind of glowing,on a trip. I return home and my neighbor tell me Channel 2 has been looking for me (wow) Kendra Farn of CBS wants an interview,NY Times reporter calls for an interview, WABC-TV calls and sends Stacey Sager to interview me, I also get a call from CBS radio another interview, 1010 WINS John Montone, Rebecca Schawartz with Channel 1 News,. I agree and meet with most media at the Bx.Zoo and go through the motions of how the NYPD were rigging a traffic light. The media would come with all the remote trucks with 20' antenna's beaming signals, microphones in my face,lights, cameras, I once lived an obscure life,
low end life, but yet the dirty laundry in my past was mine and for me to know only.(more on that soon!) Imagine my surprise by the sudden celebrity. Hey, I did the right thing,cops were indeed rigging the light,I reported it,they dropped the ball and soon it became a public interest
issue. It was now about 11 Am I'm outside talking with the neighbors,many shaking my hand,some hugging me others patting me on the back for doing the right thing and some people
liked truly liked what I accomplished. Even strangers and neighbors I didnt know said,"you did the right thing" I killed a NYC Cash Cow. I would soon pay a dear price. My satisfaction came from knowing the public agreed with Jimmy and not Rudy on this issue. Now I'm back inside my apt. watching myself on the 12;00 news wow !! I tried not to be the hero,all I wanted was an answer,"can this be legal?"I had a ticket of my own to fight. There was no "ax to grind"..
About 12;45 Pm the doorebll rings, I go and answer expecting to see a newsman or neighbor but NO, its Sergeant Jeffery McGuinnes and his buddy Sergeant Gang., I smiled, and said jokingly,"you must be here to arrest me" and when he said "YES" I almost fell over from the blood rushing to my brain,my heart was pumping hard. I ask,"why would you be arresting me,was it the TV coverage "Why,what the hell could be going on? McGuinness tells me I didn't pay a ticket in 1982 and a warrant was issued and they were here to arrest and jail me,out came the handcuffs. Before we leave for the dreaded,"Central Booking" McGuinness allows me to speak to my neighbor Joe Calzerano he too is a Borough Commander, I ask Joe how can they arrest me on this old ticket,my license is in order and been renewed 3 times. Joe says,go with the police and be polite. So off we go to the local precinct to be booked fingerprinted and held for an hour then off to Central Booking where most arrestee's are brought for processing. Some minor offenses offer an appearance ticket allowing you to walk out and appear later, but not for me I was going to be "put through the system" courtesy of Rudy Giuliani. And why? because I had courage to report abuse of police powers and sway public opinion to my cause and belief,no cop,no commissioner,no d.o.t. commissioner or Rudy himself can misuse a traffic control device.
So there I was back at Central Booking,I left that place 13 years earlier and never wanted to go back. As I was taken out of the detectives car, a photographer is snapping away at me in handcuffs with that look of fear and dread on my face but who sent him to the Courthouse. Mark Green?..NYPD? At the doorway leading to the "bull pens" where arrested people are held a large black burly corrections officers stops us and asks McGuinness,"is this the guy, " he then puts his arm around me and poses as the photographer clicked away, the corrections cop though he would be in tomorrows Daily News. So McGuinness does the paper work as I sit and cool my heels trying to figure who's behind the cheap arrest and why didn't McGuinness tell me about this stinker of a bench warrant from 13 years earlier. Three hours later I see the judge, who after verifying I've lived in the Bronx all 50 years he then vacated the warrant (threw it out) in the interest of justice. So,what was the purpose of the arrest. (more tomorrow)

The Two Investigations begin...

2005-11-26T02:05:00.000-05:00

On Monday August 11,1997 a reporter for the New York Daily News calls and makes some initial inquires about me,what happened at the zoo,how long it went on,how the cops were successful, how I felt about it,see any accidents,arrests,what I do for a living.This reporters
name is Jim Rutenberg writes a column on NYC transportation issues. We speak briefly and I hear the his keyboard singing. After that call I receive another call from City Hall, the Mayor's
chief of Staff Mr.Sorenson (?) tells me,no,thanks me for calling attention to the problem and it will be thoroughly investigated. He goes on to say,all NY'ers should report misconduct when confronted with questionable policy issues. I thank Mr.Sorenson and asked him to send me that in writing,I would later get that correspondence. I was absolutely elated! I did have a 125.00 dollar redlight summons to fight and not only video but the NY.Daily News looking into the zoo trap. I didn't know what to expect from the NYPD.
The following morning Jim Rutenberg calls telling me he was at the Bx,Zoo with his photographer hoping to catch the cops pulling their trick. They were there at 6;30 AM but no activity. I told Jim I didn't believe they would be back because of the call to Rudy on WABC. Jim
decided he'd try again the next morning, my feeling was "they won't be back again" that CASH COW was dead!!!!! Now the fallout. Later in the week Jim calls me for additional information about how the cops rigged the light,how many motorists were victimized,how often did they work there,what did I do for a living. I was honest and said, I'm unemployed,I receive Public Assistance but that wasn't good for the story so,Jim asks what kind of job would I have if not PA. Well,I'd be driving a car,so Jim Rutenberg cast me as the "disabled limo driver" which wasn't far from the truth. Also at this time,, in Rudy's life, were rumors of a fling with his "communications director" Christine Lategano. Was Rudy cheating on Donna ? We think so but like all men Rudy denied it. The big story in NYC was the Abna Louima "plunger in his rectum" case. it was raging, those cops literally and not figuratively rammed a stick up a man's rectum 6 inches deep. And the NYPD cover-up machine was at work until a hospital staff member reached out and called Internal Affairs to report the incident. My week passed fairly smoothly,my neighbor Joe (NYPD Chief) would rib me,"you're gonna get arrested" naw,I tell Joe because I searched my memory,no open cases,no warrants, no nothing that could be the cause of another arrest in my life. Joe suggests I leave it alone and let Internal Affairs handle it. As the days pass Jim Rutenberg continues to call to "pick my brain" for additional facts for his story about the redlight trap. Still no word from the NYPD. Later I would learn the Detectives were indeed investigating
only it wasn't the traffic light they checked out poor old ME.
On/about August 18 1997 Sergeant Jeffrey McGuinness calls me about the complaints at the Bx.Zoo. he informs me that after speaking with NYPD Legal Dept. And the Bx. Traffic Court Chief Administrator (?) the practice of "manipulation" (I say rigged) of the traffic light was perfectly legal and not a crime. The Bx.Borough Commander Chief Scanlon saw the problem and ordered the police to patrol other areas and stay out of the Rainey Gate. Rudy understood the ramifications of supporting me and agreeing with me that those cops were out of line,rigging a light to go red but no if Rudy supported me and said,"I'm going to see that Jimmy's summons be dismissed and voided well then Rudy would have to give that same consideration to thousands of drivers over the 6 years the same break, it was an impossible position to be in. Four people died there,could the 52nd police officers be responsible by contributing to the chain of events that caused the crashes? So, the police covered their ass and supposedly the case was closed I asked McGuinness for a letter of what he explained for my own records. I was really disappointed by the outcome and joy turned to despair so I called Joe DePlasco who relayed the information I got from McGuinness to Mark Green. Jim Rutenberg again called for a few final details since his story was getting ready for the presses. Even the NY.DailyNews saw a flawed policy at the zoo. So I waited and waited. On August 21 1997 Jim Rutenberg called the NYPD
Office of Public Information for their side of the story about to be published. They weren't aware yet of the zoo trap. I later learned a flurry of activity occurred between Bx.Command and Police Plaza (hdqts) about this upcoming story. But Mark Green fell ill and was hospitalized so the story was delayed but on Tuesday August 26 1997 the front page of the NY Daily News read in 3 inch type,"GOTCHA" cops tricky light show,officers from the 52nd pct. accused of monkeying around with a traffic light. WOW...more tomorrow

Two sergeants from the Bx. Borough Command visit me.

2005-11-25T01:51:00.000-05:00

Friday Aug 8 1997 was an eventful day for me,not only did I speak personally to Mayor Rudy Giuliani but soon after that phone call, I receive a phone call from the Office of the Public Advocate, Joe DePlasco ,Mark Greens communications director calls and tell me "we're getting no satisfaction with the administration regarding the redlight trap at the Bx.Zoo" I tell Mr.DePlasco of my conversation with Rudy and felt I would soon get some action (boy was I right) I was confident Rudy would look into the redlight problem. What the Public Advocate wanted was a review of all motorists who we're "entrapped" by the actions of the cops from the
52nd precinct. Mark Green himself review the videotape, he and his staff saw the larceny,the abuse of power, and the danger that action posed to the public at large. It's common sense that anyone activating a traffic light inside a hidden driveway must remain in the sights of on-coming traffic traveling at 25/40 mph. Most regular users of East Fordham , 100 yards away from the Rainey Gate can determine whether that flashing yellow traffic light will suddenly change to steady yellow (2.8 sec.) to red. Think about it, your driving to work,traffic is steady and moving towards the Parkway's entrances ,its 6,maybe 7 AM you see no car in the Gate so you dismiss it concentrate on the road and move swiftly through the zoo's intersection. When the Bx.Zoo is closed (6PM-(9AM) that traffic light will always flash yellow allowing a free flow for traffic (us). Joe DePlasco told me the Office was going to the press with this story and I'd soon be contacted by a reporter from the NY.Daily News. WOW !! I had eagles in my stomach again, I would be able tell what I saw as a victim and a concerned citizen who felt, "THIS CAN"T BE LEGAL" rigging a traffic control device then backing into their lair.
Had those officers just stayed forward of the sensor so all on-coming cars would see someone in the driveway and anticipate a change to red. But no these cops nefariously backed their patrol carup 30 feet and hid behind some large trees, hugh bushes, and dense shrubbery,they were hoping people would miss it, and many did (like me). You know I live here in the Bronx 59 years and I never,never, seen a ticket trap so ingeniuos and yet so hideous because it screwed the lives of thousands of innocent people and tragically, 4 people died at that location. If car A slams his brakes,car B traveling 40 mph will rear end car A, possibly causing severe injuries. I had seen evidence of 2 minor rear ending collisions during the time the cops were out issuing a summons. more on these cops later..
I soon go outside and speak with my neighbor friend Ann,her brother ironically is the Brooklyn Borough Commander, Joe Calzerano. As I express my excitement of speaking to Rudy and then
Mark Green's office , a NY.Daily News reporter soon to be interviewing me for the details of the redlight trap. It was truly a memorable morning for me. As me and Ann talk, (Ann' was 82)
2 men in suits exit a car,Ann suggests, their here to speak to me. The men approach and ask "am I James ?????????. Yes I reply, and ask them ,"did Rudy send you," they answer,you called the Mayor this morning and we're here to look at your videotape. After Sergeant Jeffrey McGuinness of the Bronx Borough Command Investigations identifies himself and his partner another sergeant, we go inside my apt. And watch my amateur video. McGuinness was the detective I spoke with 2 days earlier,he promised to investigate, but didn't. While watching I'm asked, "did I ever see a person arrested,cuffed and jailed?" No, I said, but I did see someone taken out of his car and placed into the patrol car for 20 mins. guy was handcuffed. I pointed out in the video where I say the cops rigging the light crossed the line, and entrapped motorists
McGuinness knew these cops were out of bounds, he'd already told me 2 days earlier,its not permitted to roll on the sensor at the zoo gate. He then asked me if he could take my video downtown to Police Plaza Hdqts. He promised he'd bring the videotape back (LOL) soon ! Hell no. If I lose the master copy I would have nothing but a compelling story, and who'd believe me. I told them I'd make a copy for them, and they soon left with a promise they would definitely investigate those cops and the motorists who were victimized at the Bronx Zoo Rainey Gate traffic light. I was beaming, for 8 weeks my complaints fell on deaf ears. Then all of a sudden, both mayor Rudy Giuliani and Mark Green (Public Advocate) are involved, Rudy, trying to keep it hush hush ,and Green getting ready for a public showdown with Rudy in the media, and me in the middle but I did have a legitimate problem that needed answers. more tomorrow...

Mayor Rudy Giuliani and me on WABC radio

2005-11-24T01:57:00.000-05:00

Friday August 8 1997 after 20 minutes of dialing WABC I finally get through to the station,keep in mind not all callers get to speak to Rudy first you must state your case or complaint to the screener and it must be worthy for thousands of New Yorkers tried each week to "Ask the Mayor"a question. I explained to the screener my problem, why haven't I been contacted by any investigators regarding Bronx cops rigging a traffic light? I went through the necessary channels I was on record, yet no follow-up and that same morning cops were still at the Zoo writing moving violations. I was told to please hold, it was 10:30 am only 1/2 hour left on the show and many others callers on hold. As I listen to the show while on the phone I grew butterfly's (no eagles) in my stomach,I was nervous yet determined to get the Mayor's attention regarding the legality of the "redlight trap,then I hear,"now lets go to Jimmy from the Bronx",
hello Jimmy says Rudy,I reply hello Mr.Mayor I have a problem, a question for you "is it legal for a cop to rig a traffic light to go red then hide the patrol car behind large trees and dense bush's and wait for an unsuspecting motorist to miss this traffic light then chase after them and issue that driver a redlight summons?"
Rudy: Tell me how they do that,Jimmy,what are they,do they like,uh,tamper with the timing of it ,or?
Me: What they do is roll their car over a road sensor embedded in the ground
Rudy: Mhmm
Me: It's to allow traffic to exit the Bx.Zoo. And while the zoo's closed,between 6:am and 8:am in the morning,these officers go in there,roll over the sensor,back up,and wait for unsuspecting motorists.
Rudy: So,when the,when the,when the motorist goes through the light...
Me: Yes
Rudy: Is the light red?
Me: Yes it is. Yeah...
Rudy: But it becomes red as the motorist is in the intersection,or approach..So the motorist can't stop.
Me: It becomes red after the officers activate the light.
Rudy: No,but I'm trying to get a sense I'm trying get is,does the,does the motorist have enough warning to stop the car,or not?
Me: Uh,no,on occasions they don't,because this light you can not anticipate the change,because it's not run by the city-wide light system,it's manually operated.
Rudy: Huh! Does it turn yellow before it turns red?
Me: Uh,yes. It goes from a flashing yellow,to solid yellow,to red within 2 seconds. And with no warning!
Rudy: So,I mean this,I gotta tell you Jimmy, this sounds really strange to me. These cops like sit around and get this light red so they can give out tickets?
Me: That's right! Now listen to this,I've documented uh, on over 20 mornings the activity of these guys between 6:am and 8:am, and I've took plate numbers and times, and I've taken photographs and videotapes, and I'm trying to make (cut off)
Rudy: You've taken photographs and videotapes.
Me: Yes.
Rudy: Or they have? You have.
Me: I have. Yes I've made a case with the Public Advocate's office, Internal Affairs, the CCRB, the Bronx Borough Commander.
Rudy: You made a case in all those places and they didn't--did nothing about it?
Me: Yes,I'm still waiting for some word! Uh, it's incredible!
Rudy: Your videotapes and photographs...
Me: Have been submitted to the Public Advocate's Office,
Rudy: To the Public Advocate Office...
Me: And on to a lawyer,yes.
Rudy: And to the Police Department too?
Me: No,no, but the police department has photographs (cut off)..giving the same tickets,not to mention there might be hundreds prior to me. This light has to be looked into.
Rudy: Well,uh,Jimmy,could, would you stay on the phone with me?
Me: Yes I would.
Rudy: So that we could take your name,your phone number, and have somebody call you back?
Me: Very good.
Rudy: And we can follow up on this?
Me: Sounds good.
Rudy: Because I'm gonna have to look into this. It's, it's a very odd situation,so it's a hard one for me to comment on without knowing,you know,you know,exactly uh, what you're saying or what's been done about it already, okay?
Me: Yes, it is, but see, I'm not just speaking for myself, I'm speaking for an additional 50 people that I've personally seen get stopped (inaudible) these tickets.
Rudy: Okay. I... I... y'know... I, this, its a strange allegation you're making. It, it uh, it raises a lot of questions. I mean, it's something that would have to be looked at very carefully. It's hard, it's hard to fathom three police officers like standing around making a light go red so they could give out summonses. But,uh, but let's see. I mean, I've learned a long time ago in the work that I used to do, and I guess to some extent the work that I do now, that nothing is beyond possibility So I go into this with that spirit, okay? And we will take a look at it, and see if, y'know what this is all about. But you stay on Jimmy, and uh, we'll take, we'll take your name and number, and right afterwards we'll have somebody call you back, and we'll see. And then we'll report back on this one. And now we're gonna go to the Bronx, and we're gonna talk to Nina.
That call made my day. I had now reached the Mayor of NYC. If Rudy couldn't help us nobody would... Later as the talk radio show ended you can hear Rudy say," it's going to be one of those days around here."

Busted...Thought I'd be going to jail

2005-11-23T23:12:00.000-05:00

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.

NYC Office of the Public Advocate gets involved

2005-11-23T00:24:00.000-05:00

Following my last encounter with NYPD where I had my car taken right out from under my ass I called upon Mark Greens office he was the Public Advocate.I brought to them about 30 photo's
of the Gate and the police who were rigging the traffic light.They would advise me a few weeks later meanwhile I call the NYPD Legal office and ask,can cops rig a traffic light.I was asked "are
you a cop?" No I politely replied it was then I was told I can't help you sir since your not a police officer and by the way where is this rigging going on.I told them about my complaint to I.A.D. and the Office of the Public Advocate at the Bx.Zoo she politely said I should file a complaint with the CCRB (Civilian Complaint Review Board) which I did.They too promised to investigate
my complaint. Two more weeks pass and still no reply from anyone meanwhile these police officers continue to rig the light and ticket numerous motorists. I was outraged so I borrowed a video camera from a friend Lesley . Using a video camera was new to me and after a lesson from Lesley I was off to video this outrageous conduct for myself. It was July 15 1997 at
6:15am I took off in my van since those cops were used to seeing my Oldsmobile. Even before I arrived at the Bx.Zoo I saw those 2 cops writing tickets on Bx.Park East I easily passed them unnoticed and went to the zoo where I parked my van a good 150 yards away from the Gate. If
they saw me I'd be toast. For 1 hour I kept the camera rolling (on and off) because each time the cops chased down a redlight runner I went back to my van and waited for them to return. All
I needed was to catch them rolling forward and then backing up to hide their patrol car from oncoming traffic,in my view that was entrapment because it was an inproper use of a traffic control device.

Where is I.A.D.? Internal Affairs Division

2005-11-21T23:55:00.000-05:00

Over the next 30 days I find myself going back the Bx.Zoo "trap" to witness many motorists getting screwed in the same fashion as I was. When those cops chase after a "redlight runner" I would follow and observe,many times taking down the plate number of the victim in hopes of one day vindicating them also of that hideous summons created by cops who "rigged" a traffic light to go red.I felt bad for them yet still no activity or investigations from the investigators.
On June 27 1997 I needed some hard proof so I grabbed a camera and went back to the Zoo. I drove past the Gate and snapped photo's of a patrol car lying in wait for the next victim. I took
about 20 pictures.An elderly African American couple had just received 2 summonses so I try to stop them on the highway,I was successful BUT out of nowhere came Decoro Neithardt and a third cop (name escapes me) who swiftly pull up behind my car and the elderly couple. Since
we were both off to the side of the I didn't see any problem.Officer DeCoro approaches me and asks why I stopped and what was those flashes (my camera). I explain I wanted to speak to the couple because together maybe we could draw attention to the "entrapment" by these 3 cops.
Well the cops order the elderly couple to move on and tell me to get in my car,give me your license and registration. When I informed him I didn't have my insurance card (4 weeks earlier I got 2 summons's from them) they called for the NYPD tow truck. Sensing I was going to lose my car I hurled my car keys across 6 lanes of traffic into a grassy area.As I watched my car being hooked I asked passing motorists to witness they didn't put a gun or an oz. of cocaine in my car.Not one person would stop and assist me. So now I have 4 tickets written to me by these 2 cops in 4 weeks. I needed big time help !!!!!

Ever feel like "you just got screwed" ?

2005-11-21T02:16:00.000-05:00

Well all that day I was fuming about that encounter with the police and holding a "red light ticket" in my hand.That is a 125.00 dollar fine with 2 points added to your license and an car insurance hike in premiums.My dilemma was to confirm my suspicions, cops were indeed rigging that traffic light to change red sort of like casting a fishing line into the water in hopes of catching a fish but in this case it was motorists.
Here's how it worked.From the Rainey gate driveway these cops would roll on the sensor activate the light then back up and hide behind trees and large bushes and wait as traffic whizzed by at 30/40/50 miles an hour past this "flashing yellow light".From 100 yards away a driver can notice no car in the gate driveway meaning the flashing yellow will remain flashing but NO, it would suddenly change to steady yellow (2.8 seconds) then red.Most drivers couldn't stop without possibly causing a rear ending accident other drivers paid no attention since this manually controlled is always flashing yellow from 6:pm to 9:am while the Bx.Zoo is closed.In all my 42 yrs. of driving I never came across a scam so wicked,so damaging,hurtful and costly.I mulled my options and summoned up the courage to file a complaint with NYPD Internal Affairs Division.I asked this question,"is it legal for a cop to rig a traffic light to go red" a light that by itself would not change.When they asked for the location I felt I just may get an investigation.
hell I had a ticket to fight.
Three days later at 6:30am I took a ride past the BxZoo and their they were,officers DeCora
and Neithardt.I park my car 100 yards from the Gate and watch,low and behold their they go
forward to activate the light then back up 30'to hide their patrol car from oncoming traffic thereby entrapping/encouraging motorists to run the light since they see no cops.Boom on go the turret lights and the front strobes and the chase is on,within 1 minute they stop the victim
who went through the light.Quickly a ticket is written and back to the Gate for another.Some
motorists were unfortunate victims,they got multiple summones (seat belt,expired stickers,broken tail lights,no insurance,no license and many others).So,with my suspicions confirmed I pondered my next move.

The Rainey Gate..Scene of the crime

2005-11-19T15:11:00.000-05:00

What readers need to understand is the location and purpose of this "flashing yellow traffic light". The Rainey Gate entrance/exit is a small driveway approximately 40' long and 15'/20' wide,its surrounded by lush trees and shrubs ideal for nefarious activity by local precinct cops. What I found that morning after my encounter with the cops who rigged the light to go red was a troubling question. Can this be legal? I didn't know. Here's how they entrapped motorists. Buried in the asphalt is a metal rectangle sensor,cars that leave the zoo from that gate need to
activate the flashing light this is done when their car rolls over this sensor as they approach the
the edge of the driveway. The sensor is well placed so oncoming traffic can see from 100 yards away a car in the driveway indicating to regular users (thousands daily) that the flashing yellow
light has been engaged and will soon change from flashing yellow to steady yellow (2.8 seconds) to steady red there-by stopping east bound traffic at the Rainey Gate so cars can exit the zoo. After a car/cars exits the zoo the traffic light reverts back to its flashing yellow status and remains so until the next car rolls over that embedded sensor. Another thing about this location.Back in 1990/91' that intersection was dangerous,at that time a motorist could make a
left turn and travel westbound.Many accidents occurred there due to the poor driving habits of NYC drivers.Some accidents involved multiple cars some people died. So the city and D.O.T. remade and reconstructed the road. The new layout provided a barrier down the center of East
Fordham RD. no more crossing the intersection that was a great move it cut down the number of deadly accidents but also now allowed NYPD to rig the light and hide behind the trees and lush bushes and shrubs. For more than 6 years these 3 cops from the 52nd precinct used that location for their wicked purposes (writing moving violations) with impunity at one time I heard they were challenged by AAA but lost there case.Nevertheless one day a "career criminal" as
Rudy called me would turn the tables on the NYPD. One more thing about this traffic light unlike 99% of NYC traffic lights which are controlled by timers/computers the Rainey Gate/Bronx Zoo light was manually controlled.Only the weight of a car/truck could activate the
light.No bikes or pedestrians could activate the mechanism because that was not enough weight. I soon left after I confirmed how those cops activated the traffic light but what to do about it.

My personal battle against a tyrant Rudy Giuliani and its not pretty !!

2005-11-19T00:30:00.000-05:00

Its best to begin at the beginning...
On May 28 1997 @ 6:54 Am just past the Bronx Zoo I noticed in my rear view mirror an NYPD
patrol car racing up they got behind my car, red turret lights raging so I immediately pulled over.The 2 cops exited their car and officer named Anthony DeCoro approached my car then asked for my license and registration.I asked "why the stop" he replied,"sir you went through a red light located at the North Exit of the Bronx Zoo"aka the Rainey Gate.Being a resident of the Bronx all my life and knowing this particular "flashing yellow" traffic light I became suspicious as to what triggered that light to go red in the first place.I politely asked the cop "what triggered that light" the cop replied you'll hear my testimony in court. Well, as a last resort I plead with that cop to not write me a red light summons I said to him,"I know some fellow police officers"cut me a break.He promptly asked me if I had a PBA card,I didn't.Had I been able to obtain a PBA card that cop would have let me walk.Later that morning I did reach out to a police friend Ann the sister of retired Chief of personal for NYPD,Joe Calzerano.I was given a chief's card to carry in my car.Also,about an hour after my ticket was issued I went back to the Bronx Zoo Rainey Gate to investigate how the traffic light was tripped what I found was puzzling.
I will continue tomorrow..
footnote:PBA card is a plastic credit card size courtesy card issued to rank and file police officers
they in turn hand them out to family and close friends who present them to other police officers
after one gets stopped for a traffic infraction,sort of like a get out of a summons free card.
Chiefs card:issued to NYPD high ranking personel.(Chiefs,deputy commish,inspectors)