The View Down 32nd Street, Midtown

Photo by myself at 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue, in Midtown.

A traffic cop helped to direct traffic on Seventh Avenue.

This is a very busy part of town, just a block away from Macy's. Ahead, a copper-clad bridge connects two buildings, high above the street.

You see some of these pedestrian bridges on the west side, for whatever reason, usually connecting warehouses together.

Related posts: Warehousing Art, in Chelsea, Cold Reality, and Gone Fishin', Along the East River.

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Brrrr....in Midtown

Photo by myself around Madison Avenue and 42nd Street, in Midtown.

We are approaching that time of year again, the cold part.

You see more people bundled up, wrapped head to toe in their puffy down coats. Layers are important, especially if you have to go from a packed subway car to the blustery streets to an overheated office.

Temperatures are in the mid-30's at night (about 2 degrees Celsius). We are due to have snow Tuesday morning (!).

Related posts: It's Chilly in Midtown and Prospect Park, All A-Shiver, on the Streets, and Baby, It's Cold Outside.

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The NYPD on Bikes

Photo by myself at Madison and 43rd Street, in Midtown.

I would like to think these police officers were accompanying me on my ride uptown, but no.

The NYPD sometimes use motorcycles for highway patrol and fancy motorcades. With the stop and go traffic that we have, they probably become frustrated very, very quickly.

I took this photo from the back of a cab a little while ago on a sunnier day. It's been mostly grey and icky outside recently and super busy at the office.

Related posts: Patrolling the Streets, NYPD Blues, and Police Line, Do Not Cross.

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NYPD Blue, on the Sidewalk

Photo by myself around Sixth Avenue and 28th Street, in Midtown.

The sidewalk resembled the beginning of a Law and Order episode, Thursday afternoon.

A well-dressed woman was lying on the sidewalk. She seemed fine, just disoriented. A policeman stood over her, waiting for assistance.

In general we do hear sirens now and again in the city, but nothing like the mayhem you see on tv, thank goodness. I'm actually surprised we don't have more accidents, given the drivers who don't use turn signals, pedestrians who cross against the lights and bike messengers who ride against the traffic.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Related posts: The NYPD in Action, Underground, NYPD Blues, and Directing Traffic, on Fifth Avenue.

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On Po-Pos and Open House New York

Photo by myself, on the Upper West Side.

Perhaps it's the police presence that makes New York feel safe these days. I'm not sure what was going in the photo above, Tuesday night.

Mark and I call the NYPD 'po-po's, after riveting TV show The Wire.

The Wire was a crime show not set in New York, but in Baltimore. It is a bit violent at times, but well worth the watch.

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On an unrelated note, this weekend is Open House New York weekend!

All sorts of tours are available to the public. Visit residences, offices, glass factories, hotels and even an African Burial Ground (the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan, to be exact).

All tours are free. Some require reservations, so make your plans now. There are over a hundred venues to choose from. The list will make your head spin.

For the Open House New York website, click here.

Related posts: On the Job, Heigh Ho and Patrolling the Streets.

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The NYPD, Policing the Streets

Photo by myself, around 32nd Street and Broadway.

A police officer pulled over a pedicab driver, the other day, for reasons unknown.

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The NYPD have been cracking down on activities. I jumped in a gypsy cab a few weeks ago and we were hailed down by the police within one block.

How come? The gypsy cab driver had asked me for a destination and quoted a fare, then started driving. But he hadn't called the ride into the office. The driver was working for pure profit, without the cab company's knowledge.

Related posts: Fashionably Late, NYPD Blues and NYPD in Action.

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The NYPD on Guard, at 34th Street

Photo by myself below ground at the 34th Street subway station.

A rather large police dog was on duty, Tuesday morning.

Just then, a large group of policemen rode up the escalator. The dog suddenly perked up, ears pointed forward. A few seconds later, he started prancing excitedly.

His handler explained to me that the dog recognized the police uniforms. I only wish I'd had a video camera, because the change was so incredible, just night and day!

By the way, I did not have trouble with photographing the police, but I did ask permission first. In my experience I have not had issues taking photos of the NYPD.

Related posts: NYPD Blues, Patrolling the Streets and A Horse of Course, in Midtown.

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Happy Halloween from the Village, Part II

Photo by myself near Washington Square Park, in the Village.

People of all ages were out Sunday afternoon in Halloween costume. There was a festive and light-hearted feeling to the air.

Mobs of police were out too. With all the costumes and uniforms, it was tough to know who was what. At one point, Mark pointed out a fellow sitting on a bench with a huge cast on his leg. Was it real or part of a disguise?


New York's finest were prepared for anything.


Masks were for sale for those caught without a costume.


It was just warm enough to eat outside at Sixth Avenue and Houston Street.

Related posts: Halloween Musicians and the NYC Marathon, The 2009 NYC Marathon and All A-Buzz About a Bee, in Union Square.

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On Street Music and National Night Out

Photo by myself at West 74th Street and Broadway, on the Upper West Side.

The square outside this busy subway stop has a giant abstract sculpture, gardens and plenty of seating. It's a great place to plant oneself and watch the crowds go by.

A fellow was playing an odd cello-like instrument, Tuesday. His performance was a part of National Night Out, a night for communities and police to promote the awareness of neighborhood crime.

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Speaking of crime, just a few days ago, a man was bludgeoned to death on a quiet street in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The street is lined with trees and brownstones.

A mob of as many as 20 people attacked a couple of young men for unknown reasons. One man died, leaving his wife who is 8-months pregnant. (Edit: The man who died had spent time in prison, but it's unclear whether this figures in the story).

Mark and I live just a few blocks away. Needless to say, everyone I know in the neighborhood is a bit freaked out.

For more about the Park Slope attack, click here.


A makeshift shrine marks the fatal spot in Park Slope.

Related posts: Celebrating Spring, in Union Square, Movie in the Making, in Alphabet City and Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, on the Upper West Side.

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New York's Finest, on the Hudson River

Photo by myself in Battery Park, along the Hudson River.

I'm not sure what was being discussed among the above fellows.

The weather? How many drug busts had taken place that morning? Dead body count? The latest Nicks game?

Good to know that our waters are being patrolled as often as our streets and subways.

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Ever wonder what happens to all the merchandise seized by the NYPD?

Rolex watches, cars, jewelry, electronics...you name it, are auctioned off to the public online, at propertyroom.com.

I have to say that getting jewelry or other valuables at this site is better than shopping on ebay, for example. On the Property Room site, you know the goods are real, since they've been verified by authorities.

In case you're wondering, there is photographic equipment up for grabs, too. Lenses, SLRs and digital cameras are available, though many items are untested and are sold 'as is'.

Last but not least, winners get bragging rights that their goods were 'hot'!

Related posts: NYPD Blues, NYPD in Action, Underground and Policing the Subway, Midtown.

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A Horse of Course, in Midtown

Photo by myself around 34th Street and 7th Avenue, in Midtown.

Some four-footed and two-footed members of the NYPD posed for me.

The NYPD still uses horses, mostly for crowd control. The crowds are so overwhelming in this area near Penn Station, every day. They help create a living blockade, keeping pedestrians out of the street.

Rounding the corner and encountering these huge creatures is a treat. Each time, I cannot help but stop and say hello.


Above, a photo from last year. There are horse lovers here in NYC.

Related posts: Heigh-Ho, Police Line, Do Not Cross and Riding High.

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Living Wall, Lincoln Center

Photo by myself at the David Rubenstein Atrium at 63rd Street and Broadway, on the Upper West Side.

This relatively new interior space is open to the public and considered part of Lincoln Center. The atrium was designed by the established and innovative New York architecture firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects.

Williams and Tsien designed another New York cultural building, the American Folk Art Museum, just a few blocks away. They have also participated in the Robin Hood Initiative, where noted New York Architects redesigned libraries in public schools throughout the five boroughs.

Live concerts occur weekly and are free to the public. There's a fountain and two walls made of plants. You can while away an entire afternoon here, with free wifi and a cafe run by Tom Colicchio of Top Chef fame.

For more information about the David Rubenstein Atrium, click here.
To see more exciting work from Williams and Tsien, click here.

Related posts: The Mother of All Supermarkets, Beer, Wonderful Beer and Ramen Noodles, in the East Village.

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Directing Traffic, on Fifth Avenue

Photo by myself in Midtown.

During the Veteran's Day Parade earlier this month, a policewoman directed traffic.

I couldn't find a statistic for female officers in the NYPD. My guess is that it is quite low. I rarely see women in uniform.

New Yorkers have a much better relationship with the police these days. A few might check passengers' bags outside subway stations, but generally, New York's finest maintain a low key image.

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I've been attacked by spammers recently posting about escorts and viagra.

Please know that I check for spam every day. So don't even try it.

Related posts: Policing the Subway, Midtown, On the Job and Police Line, Do Not Cross.

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Fashionably Late

Photo by myself on 39th Street and Seventh Avenue.

I just happened to be walking in the garment district when I encountered this sight. A gaggle of people waited along the sidewalk before a runway show. Designers are showing their Spring 2010 collections now, all over the city.

A woman next to me said she thought it was a Calvin Klein show (in fact, it was). Paparazzi stood behind a metal barricade, their flash bulbs popping whenever a passenger hopped out of a fancy car.

I didn't see any celebrities I recognized, but the women I saw were all absurdly skinny. You could not be any skinnier!

To see who attended the Calvin Klein show and some of the amazing designs, click here.



Related posts: Uggs, in Times Square, Fashion Accessories, Coming Soon and The Latest Thing.

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NYPD in Action, Underground

Photo by myself at the subway station at 34th Street.

A couple policemen pinned a man down on the ground, Wednesday afternoon. The man's girlfriend stood nearby. The other man, standing, was one of many bystanders.

It was not clear what had happened, just moments before.

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New York City is nothing like how it used to be. The parks used to be drug-riddled, the subways fearful. People never parked nice cars on the street, for fear of finding smashed windows and stolen radios.

Related posts: Police Line, Do Not Cross, Heigh-Ho and Policing the Subway, Midtown.

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Patrolling the Streets

Photo by myself in Midtown.

A policeman kindly posed for me with his spunky ride.

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We've had some gorgeous weather here in New York - cool nights, low humidity, sunshine.

If you're like me, you're in disbelief that it's September already. What the $#*&!! happened??!!

This coming weekend is Labor Day weekend, which marks the end of summer and the beginning of the school year.





Related posts: Heigh-Ho, Riding High and NYPD Blues.

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Copping a Feel on the Subway

Photo by myself in Herald Square, around 33rd Street and Broadway.

Several police officers congregated on a street corner the other day.

For whatever reason, I've been seeing a lot more police presence here in the city. The other morning, several police officers stood in the subway station bearing Uzzis and police dogs.

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Recently in the subways, posters have been appearing regarding personal space.

Finally, sexual harassment in the subways has become an issue. Women are being encouraged to speak up if they're groped.

I've encountered some errant hands on the subway, and I'm sure most women have. When you're standing in tight quarters with nowhere to run, you're quite vulnerable. It's also easy to give people the benefit of the doubt and not realize you're being groped until much too late.

A full-fledged ad campaign is scheduled to take place underground in September. You can read more about it here.

Related posts: Policing the Subway, Code Yellow and Heigh-Ho.

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Now Playing at the Booth Theater

Photo by myself on West 45th Street and Broadway.

Police horses are seen occasionally here, mostly during parades. I liked this photo for the large posters looming behind the horses.

The posters on the building advertise a play called 'Next to Normal', a Tony-award winning play now showing at the Booth Theater.

For a review of the play, click here.

Related posts: Riding High, Police Line, Do Not Cross and NYPD Blues.

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Running Down the Streets of New York

Photo by myself in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The NYPD provided an escort for the mens front runners of this year's New York City Marthon.

The mens lead pack came roaring down Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, clocking sub-five minute miles. The womens pack had passed by minutes earlier, as well as dozens of wheelchair participants.

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We live a few blocks from the marathon route, so I was lucky to witness hundreds of racers on Sunday. The streets were lined with cheering crowds.

Camera in hand, I was anxious. Helicopters circled overhead, tracking the race. People wondered aloud when we'd catch sight of the first runners. Mark sent text messages from home, where he was watching the coverage on television.

I can see that being a sports or news photographers must be an exciting job. There are no 'replay' options. You only get one opportunity to take a photo, and it flashes by in an instant.


The mens' lead pack at breakneck speed. You can see the shadows of onlookers.


Abdi Abdirahman was leading the mens pack around Mile Six of the New York City Marathon, Sunday. Some twenty miles and three boroughs later, he finished sixth.


The leading womens' runners. Paula Radcliffe of the UK eventually won the race. Fourth from the right Ludmila Petrova from Russia finished second. Third from the right, Kara Goucher of the US, finished third.

Related posts: Halloween Musicians and The NYC Marathon, Mass Mentality, and Inspiration.

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Riding High

Photo by myself, in midtown, around 6th Avenue and 40th Street.

There's something about horses that inspire a bit of fear.

I've been told by horse people that these animals doesn't really know how big they are, so despite their size, they can be easily spooked.

Related posts: NYPD Blues, Heigh Ho.

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