Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Today's Headlines

Friday’s Headlines: Ghost Tags in the News Edition

Here's today's daily digest, with the latest Jesse Coburn news.

12:00 AM EDT on June 23, 2023

Our investigative reporter Jesse Coburn came home from vacation in the containerized trash paradise of Trieste, Italy, to discover that his deep coverage of the temporary tag black market had created quite a stir (beyond winning him a Silurians Award, as we might have mentioned yesterday):

  • The Queens Chronicle's editorial page, which describes itself as "probably the most pro-automobile opinion page in a general interest newspaper in the city," nonetheless cheered Coburn's work as "recent remarkable reporting in Streetsblog."
  • Jalopnik gave Coburn's coverage the aggregation treatment.
  • Coburn's words are so quotable that even the police department in the New Jersey town of Glen Rock is reciting them. As quoted by Tap Into Fair Lawn, Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann said, "Drivers use fake and fraudulent temporary tags for a variety of reasons, including to drive without car insurance; to avoid sales tax on car purchases and bills for tolls and tickets; and to commit more serious crimes in cars with license plates that aren’t connected to their name and address. Fake and fraudulent temporary tags have been used during robberies, shootings, and hit-and-runs." Wow, that's identical to what Coburn wrote in one of his follow-ups:
Coburn's prose was swiped by a Jersey police chief!

In other news from yesterday:

  • Council Member Lincoln Restler is trying to raise the fines for repeatedly ignoring alternate-side-of-the-street parking rules that are causing many streets to remain unswept due to cars that never move. (NYDN)
  • In case you missed it, Gothamist had a doorstop of a report on the MTA's crushing debt. This fiscal cliff is still looming, people.
  • EMTs are upset that delivery workers may soon — allegedly — make more than starting emergency technicians. Perhaps, but EMTs get health benefits, days off, sick days and don't have to lay out $1,000 for a bike or moped to do their work. That said, starting EMTs obviously deserve to make more than $40,000 per year. (NYDN, NY Post)
  • Maybe Carl Heastie should consider Sammy's Law for the suburbs, given how wildly residents of Sprawlville speed. (NY Post)
  • A promising Access-a-Ride program will be expanded, but the cost to users will rise. (The City)
  • The MTA also took heat at the first fare hike public hearing, but what did you expect? (amNY)

Have a great weekend everyone.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

We Have the ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics You Need Right Now

It's bad out there. How bad? Here is a citywide roundup from our staff ... and our friends on social media.

September 29, 2023

Labor Gains: Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage

Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.

September 29, 2023

Fed Up Bronxites Tell Mayor To Forget About Bus Ride Invitation After Fordham Road ‘Betrayal’

"I really would think that our mayor would be a little bit more active and speak with us, because he hasn't really made any time with riders. We're not the enemy. We just want better bus service."

September 29, 2023

City Pays $150K to Settle Suit Over Cops Who Harassed Man Who Reported Police Parking Misconduct

Justin Sherwood and his lawyer will pocket $152,000 to settle his federal civil rights suit against the city and several officers who harassed him following his 311 calls.

September 28, 2023
See all posts