New York City First Responders: The Root of the Problem

 COVID creates a knee-jerk vote of thanks to first responders, so let's take a moment to consider than any automatic applause is guaranteed to hide real scrutiny.  For that reason, I'd like to point out the many ways that the First Response Syndrome in NYC is a large part of the reason we're in the mess we are today.

Here are some reasons I believe our attitudes towards the fire, police, and ambulance militias have exacerbated our sickness, disenfranchisement, and powerlessness in the face of a City that's out of control.

• First responders believe that they are priority workers--and they act that way. Because they've drunk their own koolaid, these public employees break traffic rules, cultural rules, and civility rules in a way that causes far more damage than the protection services they offer in return
• First responders aren't contributors to noise pollution anxiety in New York City--they ARE the noise pollution.  Each time a siren goes up, the blood pressure of tens of thousands of of go up 20 points.  The number of fatalities that result from the hostility caused by all those constant decibels is not calculable.  But, given the deathly noise level our ambulance drivers and cops create, they permission every other malefactor who feels it's OK to smash construction items, scream at other citizens, or generally accelerate day to day tension.  First responders are the source of nearly all the anger and violence in the City.  They "scream" first--and we respond in kind.
• Let's talk about the cops who "protect" our protests and celebrations.  They're the source of violence.  When one side has guns and loud noises, and the other side has signs and cowbells, there's NEVER a situation where the citizens are to blame.  Never.  No matter how badly one or two individuals behave.  If you introduce police, you've escalated the problem.  End stop.
• And let's talk about leadership.  No more large black SUVs with blue lights should be every allowed on the streets of New York City, and no City agency should ever purchase one again.  These vehicles are the carriages of the self-anointed.  They are not priority vehicles--they're entitlements with 19" wheels and shaded windows.  Get a life, and ride the subway, you tools of the state. You are NOT important.

Don't believe me?  Set a government policy that sirens can't be louder than 50% of the current level, and that no public employees will show up for celebrations in riot gear, and watch what happens.  Seem improbable?  Visit London or Paris.