Day after day, life in New York City has become untenable for many reasons. Whether it’s about the skyrocketing cost of living and crime rate, the seemingly endless stream of migrants coming from the Southern border that is costing the city billions of dollars we don’t have, or the constant barrage of Amazon and delivery bikes all over the city (often with violent, entitled drivers who threaten New Yorkers), life in New York is not peaceful or comfortable at all. Let me explain.
Last week, an Amazon delivery person was sorting out his oversized cart at the entrance to my building, blocking the entire walkway with totes, boxes, and his cart. I nicely said, “Excuse me,” so I could pass his piles of deliveries. His response, well, let’s say I cannot repeat what he said in polite company, but it included everything from racist commentary to sexual preference slander to violent threats. All because I politely asked to pass his illegal use of the entrance of our building.
Confrontations with food delivery persons and delivery and packaging companies (like FedEx, UPS, and the USPS) are becoming increasingly common daily. For example, things have gotten so bad on the formerly prestigious Upper East Side streets that the NYPD’s 19th Precinct advised residents that they are pursuing the endless stream of illegally parked and used electric bikes, often stacked outside of popular UES restaurants.
Back to my new Amazon delivery friend: As he became so belligerent and racist, I had finally had enough. While I usually am happy to oblige someone foolish enough to threaten me, in this context, I felt taking the higher road would be more beneficial to all. So, I took out my phone to take a photo to send to a friend at Amazon. He decided to slap my hand, knocking my phone onto the ground, and continued using racist and sexual preference slurs. Thankfully, there was no damage to my phone. I took photos of the delivery guy and called the police. When they finally arrived, the delivery guy changed his tune, claiming that I kicked his totes and cart, and that was why he smacked the phone out of my hand.
The police didn’t care to follow up or inquire as to what one had to do with the other. In other words, they could care less. They had the perfect opportunity to give this kid a learning moment that likely would have helped him better understand what he did was wrong and that lying is not a way to get through life. In other words, a little enforcement now would go a long way to helping a kid like this lead a good, productive, and happy life.
The NYPD lived through the 12 years of Draconian rule under Bloomberg and eight years under Do Nothing DeLousyo. Now, they are contending with the Mayor of Swagger’s micromanagement. In other words, the hangover of anger from eight years of de Blasio and the lack of any semblance of enforcement during that period has given way to a police department whose members are afraid to enforce the law because of lawsuits, negative press, and more. So, despite having a former cop as our current Mayor, crime and grime march on. And no one is held accountable.
It should also be no surprise that this happened in StuyTown and the East Village districts. City Councilman Keith Powers and Councilwoman Carlina Rivera have spent their entire careers handcuffing the police in favor of criminals and miscreants. Just look at what their policies did to 14th Street between 3rd Avenue and Avenue C. It’s a wasteland of crime, homelessness, and filth. Often referred to by StuyTown residents as “Little Keithie,” Powers continues ignoring his district responsibilities in favor of photo ops about projects he didn’t work on. Same for Rivera and many more City Council members. If only we had local politicians who cared about those who elected them. If only we elected people who are actual people and not greedy, self-serving ego maniacs only interested in their wallets and power base. These people need to be held accountable.
We all know the proverbial haunted house. In New York, we have thousands of them—they’re called abandoned buildings. But what happens when Halloween hits the city that never sleeps? Do we gravitate to these haunted properties? No. We head to a much spookier place called Blood Manor.
For 20 years, Blood Manor has served the people of New York City endless frights, screams and chills. With professionally costumed, made-up actors and actresses jumping out of every corner, lighting and sound designed to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, Blood Manor delivers on its promise, every time.
This year is the 20th anniversary of what has become New York’s most notoriously frightening building. There will be three new themed rooms and all new costumes created by NYC’s ultimate Halloween store, Abracadabra NYC. Blood Manor will open to the public on Thursday, September 29th.
To celebrate this milestone, Blood Manor has a special surprise for fans on Friday, October 13th! Check BloodManor.com for details (they were not available at press time), but I can tell you that they have partnered with my friend, the notorious restaurateur and Queen of weddings, Jenny Oz LeRoy. Jenny’s team will also have their BadWich Food Truck on-site. It’s going to be amazing. And to make matters even more spirited, Bacardi Rums sponsored the bar for preview night with their Bacardi Blood Punch (look at my Great Bites column on page 51 for the recipe). A deliciously frightening combination for sure!
