Cabbie arrest sparks Newark airport protest

[JCHere]

Duke, I do not assume newark cab drivers are all evil people and I do not place halos over the heads of police officers.  There are good and bad cops.  There are good and bad taxi drivers.   

SusanSaint,
After making the statement above, do you still stand 100% behind your writing of yesterday?

Quote from: SusanSaint on 06-09-2011, 19:30
"I believe the JC Police Officer about the cabbie's driving violations and aggravated harrassment.  Also the Port Authority Police Dept. issued these summonses and arrested the cabbie; therefore, they must of seen the cabbie's behavior firsthand when they arrived at the scene.  The PAPD do not just arrest a cabbie and ticket him because of heresay.  The PAPD must have seen how the cabbie was behaving when they arrived at the scene, and they decided to charge him with Aggravated Harrassment.  The cabbie probably admitted to some type of driving violation in the heat of the moment.  That's it, he was ticketed.  The cabbie most likely became angry and aggressive towards the officers, which led to the arrest.

If you want to believe the newark cabbie go ahead.  I drive down the shore and take the Pulaski Skyway on the weekends sometimes and I've seen how newark cabbies drive.  I believe the JC police officer and PAPD acted accordingly and did not abuse their power. "
End of quote

May I point out politely but firmly that you state "I drive down the shore and take the Pulaski Skyway on the weekends sometimes and I've seen how newark cabbies drive."
That sounded to me like you judge Newark Cabbies as a group.

[SusanSaint]

Duke, I do not assume newark cab drivers are all evil people and I do not place halos over the heads of police officers.  There are good and bad cops.  There are good and bad taxi drivers.   

SusanSaint:

I do not believe any of the parties.  I am simply consistent with my assumptions.  You assume Newark cab drivers are all evil people and at the same time place halos over the heads of the officers.

I've been cut off thousands of times in my car, but I can't imagine being so angry at someone's driving that I would follow them from the Pulaski Skyway to the airport.  But that's what Peitro Veltre did.  That's angry.  He and his girlfriend followed the cab driver 10 miles for a specific reason.  Please place the halo over his head and explain why.

Even with dozens of witnesses who staged a protest, Veltre "luckily" managed to avoid any tickets and arrest himself.  It wasn't enough for Veltre to tail him to his destination to have a confrontation.  It wasn't enough to steal his keys, nor enough that he got tickets for charges that weren't witnessed by the PAPD.  He also got him arrested.  Why? 

His ego was bruised in front of his classless obscenity gesturing girlfriend.  Yes, I'll assume the worst in the cabbie and he probably did cut him off.  So what.  I'll even join along with the laughably hard to believe story of a Newark cabbie shoved an off-duty uniformed steroid-enhanced JC officer. At the end of the day, nothing happened to Veltre.  No car accident, no blood, nothing. 

We entrust officer's with a higher amount of power.  In exchange, we hold our officer's to a higher standard than that of a normal citizen.  Many of them exceed that standard.  Those that fall below should be held accountable and disciplined or sent for more training.

duke

P.S.  One last note regarding Internal Affairs.  The equivalent is having a bank department monitoring and disciplining the bank for bad behavior.  The departments exist, but for some reason the banks never do anything wrong.

[propscene]

Regarding S.S.'s belief in Internal Affairs and exactly where their interests lie, I'd like to direct her attention to this current case in Chicago:
Woman arrested for taping Internal Affairs conversation

[duke_of_earl]

Duke, the cabbie violated several driving violations which means he would of received at least 2 tickets (He was chared with aggravated harrassment, obstruction of justice,  and issued summonses for following too closely, reckless driving and improper passing).  He was charged with Aggravated Harrassment, not ticketed for it. 

I believe the JC Police Officer about the cabbie's driving violations and aggravated harrassment.  Also the Port Authority Police Dept. issued these summonses and arrested the cabbie; therefore, they must of seen the cabbie's behavior firsthand when they arrived at the scene.  The PAPD do not just arrest a cabbie and ticket him because of heresay.  The PAPD must have seen how the cabbie was behaving when they arrived at the scene, and they decided to charge him with Aggravated Harrassment.  The cabbie probably admitted to some type of driving violation in the heat of the moment.  That's it, he was ticketed.  The cabbie most likely became angry and aggressive towards the officers, which led to the arrest. 

If you want to believe the newark cabbie go ahead.  I drive down the shore and take the Pulaski Skyway on the weekends sometimes and I've seen how newark cabbies drive.  I believe the JC police officer and PAPD acted accordingly and did not abuse their power.   

SusanSaint:

I do not believe any of the parties.  I am simply consistent with my assumptions.  You assume Newark cab drivers are all evil people and at the same time place halos over the heads of the officers.

I've been cut off thousands of times in my car, but I can't imagine being so angry at someone's driving that I would follow them from the Pulaski Skyway to the airport.  But that's what Peitro Veltre did.  That's angry.  He and his girlfriend followed the cab driver 10 miles for a specific reason.  Please place the halo over his head and explain why.

Even with dozens of witnesses who staged a protest, Veltre "luckily" managed to avoid any tickets and arrest himself.  It wasn't enough for Veltre to tail him to his destination to have a confrontation.  It wasn't enough to steal his keys, nor enough that he got tickets for charges that weren't witnessed by the PAPD.  He also got him arrested.  Why? 

His ego was bruised in front of his classless obscenity gesturing girlfriend.  Yes, I'll assume the worst in the cabbie and he probably did cut him off.  So what.  I'll even join along with the laughably hard to believe story of a Newark cabbie shoved an off-duty uniformed steroid-enhanced JC officer. At the end of the day, nothing happened to Veltre.  No car accident, no blood, nothing. 

We entrust officer's with a higher amount of power.  In exchange, we hold our officer's to a higher standard than that of a normal citizen.  Many of them exceed that standard.  Those that fall below should be held accountable and disciplined or sent for more training.

duke

P.S.  One last note regarding Internal Affairs.  The equivalent is having a bank department monitoring and disciplining the bank for bad behavior.  The departments exist, but for some reason the banks never do anything wrong.

[JCHere]

Darna,

If the JCPD and PAPD abused their power in anyway, an internal affairs investigation should follow with police officers being suspended or disciplined.  In Police Brutality or Abuse of Power cases, there are always lawsuits, as we have in seen in Nyc and LA.  So let's see what happens.  Ok

These cabbies know their rights, they protested didn't they.  Let's see if the cabbie sues?  Let's see if officers are suspended/disciplined? 

SusanSaint,
Whether the cabbies know their rights or sue or not is really not relevant.
Keep in mind, if the cabbies sue, that costs taxpayers large amounts of dollars no matter who wins or loses.
Seems to me it would be lots better to have well trained, properly supervised, non political, non drug using cops on the JCPD. In my personal opinion that is the root of the matter here. I feel that a significant part of our police force would not meet all of that criteria.
As I understand it, the cop was off duty and also pulled over on the Pulaski on Friday afternoon. Further he was arguing with his spouse or girlfriend. Cabbie and spouse of cop exchange rude gestures. Cop chases cabbie to EWR, and when he can, reaches into cabbies car and pulls the key. There is just no way that we will ever know what really took place. If the cop felt the cabbie was so bad or such a risk, why didn't he call 911 while he was in pursuit? Could it be that he was not thinking as a professional and let emotions take over?
It is sad but I do not have any reason to believe that the cabbie is any less credible than the cop. JCPD and our government has way to often defended bad apples and swept crap under the rug for a long time.
So who knows? Certainly not myself, and I doubt you.
Best! JCHere

[PuddinPop]

"would have"   Sorry but I ticket for pet peeves

Duke, the cabbie violated several driving violations which means he would of received at least 2 tickets (He was chared with aggravated harrassment, obstruction of justice,  and issued summonses for following too closely, reckless driving and improper passing).  He was charged with Aggravated Harrassment, not ticketed for it. 

I believe the JC Police Officer about the cabbie's driving violations and aggravated harrassment.  Also the Port Authority Police Dept. issued these summonses and arrested the cabbie; therefore, they must of seen the cabbie's behavior firsthand when they arrived at the scene.  The PAPD do not just arrest a cabbie and ticket him because of heresay.  The PAPD must have seen how the cabbie was behaving when they arrived at the scene, and they decided to charge him with Aggravated Harrassment.  The cabbie probably admitted to some type of driving violation in the heat of the moment.  That's it, he was ticketed.  The cabbie most likely became angry and aggressive towards the officers, which led to the arrest. 

If you want to believe the newark cabbie go ahead.  I drive down the shore and take the Pulaski Skyway on the weekends sometimes and I've seen how newark cabbies drive.  I believe the JC police officer and PAPD acted accordingly and did not abuse their power.   

So several tickets depending on how many driving violations the cabbie committed would of suffice.  Whenever you try to argue with an officer outside of court, you always loose.  Which is why he was charged with Aggravated Harrassment as well. 

If you disagree with a ticket, any arguing should be done in court in front of a judge. 

Arguing with an officer after receiving a ticket is useless.  However, arguing with an officer is not punishable by ticketing.  The officer's should be either disciplined or sent for more training.  They are not free to issue tickets to people they or their girlfriend do not like.

duke

[jehu]

Darna,

If the JCPD and PAPD abused their power in anyway, an internal affairs investigation should follow with police officers being suspended or disciplined.  In Police Brutality or Abuse of Power cases, there are always lawsuits, as we have in seen in Nyc and LA.  So let's see what happens.  Ok

These cabbies know their rights, they protested didn't they.  Let's see if the cabbie sues?  Let's see if officers are suspended/disciplined? 

I believe the JC Police Officer about the cabbie's driving violations and aggravated harrassment.  Also the Port Authority Police Dept. issued these summonses and arrested the cabbie; therefore, they must of seen the cabbie's behavior firsthand when they arrived at the scene.  The PAPD do not just arrest a cabbie and ticket him because of heresay.  The PAPD must have seen how the cabbie was behaving when they arrived at the scene, and they decided to charge him with Aggravated Harrassment.  The cabbie probably admitted to some type of driving violation in the heat of the moment.  That's it, he was ticketed.  The cabbie most likely became angry and aggressive towards the officers, which led to the arrest.  

SusanSaint, your argument amounts to nothing more than a tautology stating:  The cabbie was properly arrested because the PAPD issued the summons and arrested him.  They arrested him; therefore, they must have had cause to do so.  By your logic, all PAPD action is valid, because they would never act improperly.

You assume a lot of facts which are simply not in the record.

[SusanSaint]

Darna,

If the JCPD and PAPD abused their power in anyway, an internal affairs investigation should follow with police officers being suspended or disciplined.  In Police Brutality or Abuse of Power cases, there are always lawsuits, as we have in seen in Nyc and LA.  So let's see what happens.  Ok

These cabbies know their rights, they protested didn't they.  Let's see if the cabbie sues?  Let's see if officers are suspended/disciplined? 

I believe the JC Police Officer about the cabbie's driving violations and aggravated harrassment.  Also the Port Authority Police Dept. issued these summonses and arrested the cabbie; therefore, they must of seen the cabbie's behavior firsthand when they arrived at the scene.  The PAPD do not just arrest a cabbie and ticket him because of heresay.  The PAPD must have seen how the cabbie was behaving when they arrived at the scene, and they decided to charge him with Aggravated Harrassment.  The cabbie probably admitted to some type of driving violation in the heat of the moment.  That's it, he was ticketed.  The cabbie most likely became angry and aggressive towards the officers, which led to the arrest.  

SusanSaint, your argument amounts to nothing more than a tautology stating:  The cabbie was properly arrested because the PAPD issued the summons and arrested him.  They arrested him; therefore, they must have had cause to do so.  By your logic, all PAPD action is valid, because they would never act improperly.

You assume a lot of facts which are simply not in the record.

[Darna]

I believe the JC Police Officer about the cabbie's driving violations and aggravated harrassment.  Also the Port Authority Police Dept. issued these summonses and arrested the cabbie; therefore, they must of seen the cabbie's behavior firsthand when they arrived at the scene.  The PAPD do not just arrest a cabbie and ticket him because of heresay.  The PAPD must have seen how the cabbie was behaving when they arrived at the scene, and they decided to charge him with Aggravated Harrassment.  The cabbie probably admitted to some type of driving violation in the heat of the moment.  That's it, he was ticketed.  The cabbie most likely became angry and aggressive towards the officers, which led to the arrest.  

SusanSaint, your argument amounts to nothing more than a tautology stating:  The cabbie was properly arrested because the PAPD issued the summons and arrested him.  They arrested him; therefore, they must have had cause to do so.  By your logic, all PAPD action is valid, because they would never act improperly.

You assume a lot of facts which are simply not in the record.

[SusanSaint]

Duke, the cabbie violated several driving violations which means he would of received at least 2 tickets (He was chared with aggravated harrassment, obstruction of justice,  and issued summonses for following too closely, reckless driving and improper passing).  He was charged with Aggravated Harrassment, not ticketed for it. 

I believe the JC Police Officer about the cabbie's driving violations and aggravated harrassment.  Also the Port Authority Police Dept. issued these summonses and arrested the cabbie; therefore, they must of seen the cabbie's behavior firsthand when they arrived at the scene.  The PAPD do not just arrest a cabbie and ticket him because of heresay.  The PAPD must have seen how the cabbie was behaving when they arrived at the scene, and they decided to charge him with Aggravated Harrassment.  The cabbie probably admitted to some type of driving violation in the heat of the moment.  That's it, he was ticketed.  The cabbie most likely became angry and aggressive towards the officers, which led to the arrest. 

If you want to believe the newark cabbie go ahead.  I drive down the shore and take the Pulaski Skyway on the weekends sometimes and I've seen how newark cabbies drive.  I believe the JC police officer and PAPD acted accordingly and did not abuse their power.   

So several tickets depending on how many driving violations the cabbie committed would of suffice.  Whenever you try to argue with an officer outside of court, you always loose.  Which is why he was charged with Aggravated Harrassment as well. 

If you disagree with a ticket, any arguing should be done in court in front of a judge. 

Arguing with an officer after receiving a ticket is useless.  However, arguing with an officer is not punishable by ticketing.  The officer's should be either disciplined or sent for more training.  They are not free to issue tickets to people they or their girlfriend do not like.

duke

[duke_of_earl]

So several tickets depending on how many driving violations the cabbie committed would of suffice.  Whenever you try to argue with an officer outside of court, you always loose.  Which is why he was charged with Aggravated Harrassment as well. 

If you disagree with a ticket, any arguing should be done in court in front of a judge. 

Arguing with an officer after receiving a ticket is useless.  However, arguing with an officer is not punishable by ticketing.  The officer's should be either disciplined or sent for more training.  They are not free to issue tickets to people they or their girlfriend do not like.

duke

[SusanSaint]

Edit:  I was wrong, NJ Code 40A:14-152.1 grants "any full-time, permanently appointed municipal police officer shall  have full power of arrest for any crime committed in said officer's presence  and committed anywhere within the territorial limits of the State of New  Jersey.

So several tickets depending on how many driving violations the cabbie committed would of suffice.  Whenever you try to argue with an officer outside of court, you always loose.  Which is why he was charged with Aggravated Harrassment as well. 

If you disagree with a ticket, any arguing should be done in court in front of a judge. 

[jehu]

I hope the PA police would at least look into this. It is police officers like this that give the good ones a bad name.

IIRC municipal officers only have powers of arrest outside their jurisdiction for FELONY crimes.  
Even if the road rage incident occurred in JC, and he was on duty in a marked unit, he or his dispatcher would need to notify the local PoPo of the traffic stop.  
But he's off duty in a POV on a sunny Friday afternoon, with family on board, and still decides to either follow or attempt to pull over a cabbie.  
Luckily the cab had the new Krypton accessory protecting him until they arrived in the Green Zone of EWR.
I can see where this guy just transferred whatever was happening in the car, displaced it upon the cabbie.
And what is it about these knuckleheads makes them want to grab keys?

Of course JCPD won't investigate this, as long as he didn't run anyone else off the road whilst chasing the cabbie, strike and kill a citizen, it's nothing out of the norm.  Oh wait, even that seems to be tolerated in this city.

Anybody up for a drunken ukulele naked songfest out on the front porch?

[duke_of_earl]

Pietro Veltre was off duty so couldn't have issued any tickets.  He must have convinced the PA officer to exercise a little professional courtesy.

duke

[CeeDub]

IIRC municipal officers only have powers of arrest outside their jurisdiction for FELONY crimes.  
Even if the road rage incident occurred in JC, and he was on duty in a marked unit, he or his dispatcher would need to notify the local PoPo of the traffic stop.  
But he's off duty in a POV on a sunny Friday afternoon, with family on board, and still decides to either follow or attempt to pull over a cabbie.  
Luckily the cab had the new Krypton accessory protecting him until they arrived in the Green Zone of EWR.
I can see where this guy just transferred whatever was happening in the car, displaced it upon the cabbie.
And what is it about these knuckleheads makes them want to grab keys?

Of course JCPD won't investigate this, as long as he didn't run anyone else off the road whilst chasing the cabbie, strike and kill a citizen, it's nothing out of the norm.  Oh wait, even that seems to be tolerated in this city.

Anybody up for a drunken ukulele naked songfest out on the front porch?

Edit:  I was wrong, NJ Code 40A:14-152.1 grants "any full-time, permanently appointed municipal police officer shall  have full power of arrest for any crime committed in said officer's presence  and committed anywhere within the territorial limits of the State of New  Jersey.

[MCA™]

I didn't know JCPD can issue traffic summonses outside of Jersey City. Talk about the long arm of the law.

[Bobblehead]

How sad is it that I am probably more likely to believe the cabbie's version of events over the officer's? And to think that this is simply a case of an officer going out of his way to arrest a citizen because his ego was bruised? Is he one of the many 'roid cops on the force?

And I do find it very curious that this happened on the day the officer was promoted. Was he driving home in his personal car, with some woman in it, after drinking at a celebration of his promotion?

I know officers, here and in other states, I know they have a tough job, but certain folks in the JCPD really seem to be a bit out of control sometimes.

[jehu]

Shouldn't he have called in for an officer on duty? or get the PA police involved since they were involved at the Newark Airport.

Published: Tuesday, June 07, 2011, 3:00 AM
  By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

The Jersey City Police Department is not investigating an incident at Newark International Airport involving an off-duty city cop who allegedly “aggressively” followed a Bayonne taxi driver from the Pulaski Skyway to the airport.
Lt. Peitro Veltre, off-duty but wearing his police uniform, told the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that he observed the taxi driver, Ahmed Deraz, committing traffic violations on the Pulaski Skyway at 2:45 p.m. on Friday.
Veltre, who was in a personal vehicle at the time, said he attempted to pull Deraz over, but the cab driver refused, said Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico. When Deraz and Veltre pulled into an airport lot, the two had a confrontation, Marsico said.
“At some point, (Veltre) said that the driver shoved him,” he said.
Deraz was charged with aggravated assault and obstruction, according to Marsico. Additionally, he added, Veltre issued traffic summonses to Deraz, who was held in custody briefly and released Friday evening.
For a two-hour period before Deraz was released, taxi drivers at the airport refused to pick up customers, leaving the Port Authority scrambling to get passengers to their destinations, according to the Star-Ledger.
Deraz, who could not be reached to comment, told the Star-Ledger on Friday that a woman in Veltre’s vehicle “gave him an obscene gesture,” which the cab driver returned. That led Veltre to “aggressively” tail the taxi to the airport, according to Deraz.
The cab driver said Veltre reached into his taxi, saying, “I’m a (expletive) police officer, you can’t do this to me. Go back to your (expletive) country,” according to the Star-Ledger.
Jersey City police spokesman Lt. Edgar Martinez said the city does not plan to look into the incident.
“He witnessed an infraction, he attempted to stop the individual, and he was assaulted in Newark airport,” Martinez said.

http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/06/jersey_city_police_wont_probe_1.html

[shahaggy]

Published: Tuesday, June 07, 2011, 3:00 AM
  By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

The Jersey City Police Department is not investigating an incident at Newark International Airport involving an off-duty city cop who allegedly “aggressively” followed a Bayonne taxi driver from the Pulaski Skyway to the airport.
Lt. Peitro Veltre, off-duty but wearing his police uniform, told the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that he observed the taxi driver, Ahmed Deraz, committing traffic violations on the Pulaski Skyway at 2:45 p.m. on Friday.
Veltre, who was in a personal vehicle at the time, said he attempted to pull Deraz over, but the cab driver refused, said Port Authority spokesman Ron Marsico. When Deraz and Veltre pulled into an airport lot, the two had a confrontation, Marsico said.
“At some point, (Veltre) said that the driver shoved him,” he said.
Deraz was charged with aggravated assault and obstruction, according to Marsico. Additionally, he added, Veltre issued traffic summonses to Deraz, who was held in custody briefly and released Friday evening.
For a two-hour period before Deraz was released, taxi drivers at the airport refused to pick up customers, leaving the Port Authority scrambling to get passengers to their destinations, according to the Star-Ledger.
Deraz, who could not be reached to comment, told the Star-Ledger on Friday that a woman in Veltre’s vehicle “gave him an obscene gesture,” which the cab driver returned. That led Veltre to “aggressively” tail the taxi to the airport, according to Deraz.
The cab driver said Veltre reached into his taxi, saying, “I’m a (expletive) police officer, you can’t do this to me. Go back to your (expletive) country,” according to the Star-Ledger.
Jersey City police spokesman Lt. Edgar Martinez said the city does not plan to look into the incident.
“He witnessed an infraction, he attempted to stop the individual, and he was assaulted in Newark airport,” Martinez said.

http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/06/jersey_city_police_wont_probe_1.html

[duke_of_earl]

I did a search on google to read the entire story where the wife and cabbie exchange rude gestures but I could not find it.  I believe a ticket would of been sufficient.  However if the Port Authority Police of NY and NJ arrested him then he was obviously way out of line with them.  He was chared with aggravated harrassment, obstruction of justice,  and issued summonses for following too closely, reckless driving and improper passing.  You can't argue and yell at the officers of the PAPD, because they can arrest you for it.  

Sadly, you are correct.  People get arrested for arguing and yelling at officers every day.  If your (and my) assumption is correct and the officers arrested him on charges of Contempt of Cop, then the officers should be penalized for abuse of power.

It is perfectly legal to argue and yell at officers.

duke

[SusanSaint]

I did a search on google to read the entire story where the wife and cabbie exchange rude gestures but I could not find it.  I believe a ticket would of been sufficient.  However if the Port Authority Police of NY and NJ arrested him then he was obviously way out of line with them.  He was chared with aggravated harrassment, obstruction of justice,  and issued summonses for following too closely, reckless driving and improper passing.  You can't argue and yell at the officers of the PAPD, because they can arrest you for it.  

These newark taxi drivers do not drive safely or obey the rules whenever they are in Hudson County, near the Holland Tunnel, or on the Pulaski Skyway.  Something needs to be done to put a stop to their reckless driving outside of Newark.

I guess they are waiting for an automobile death to happen where a newark cab driver is involved before they are forced to start driving safely.  I've seen the way they drive whenever I've driven on 1&9 South (Pulaski Skyway).  It's best to stay as far away as possible from them on the road.

Something was done in this situation.  Are you satisfied with the result?

duke

[Soshin]

Death Cab for Dubby

[CeeDub]

Holy sheep dip Sosh, we got off the combo PATH in Homophoboken last nite, decided to cab rather than ride to PAVONIA (Vivienia?) and walk from there.  The SUV had white lights strung up on the headliner, unlit thankfully, and without even seeing the low tire pressure warning light on the dash I could hear / feel the flat tire on the right rear.  ALL taxis in Hudson County are a death lottery IMHO.

Except for mine - axe RB, BD, JayMay, TF and AB, Sosh, Rab, EFL and Non, Neeners, who else?

[duke_of_earl]

These newark taxi drivers do not drive safely or obey the rules whenever they are in Hudson County, near the Holland Tunnel, or on the Pulaski Skyway.  Something needs to be done to put a stop to their reckless driving outside of Newark.

I guess they are waiting for an automobile death to happen where a newark cab driver is involved before they are forced to start driving safely.  I've seen the way they drive whenever I've driven on 1&9 South (Pulaski Skyway).  It's best to stay as far away as possible from them on the road.

Something was done in this situation.  Are you satisfied with the result?

duke

[Soshin]

These newark taxi drivers do not drive safely or obey the rules whenever they are in Hudson County, near the Holland Tunnel, or on the Pulaski Skyway.  Something needs to be done to put a stop to their reckless driving outside of Newark.

Ehhhhm.... have you ever been in a Jersey City cab?  Y'know the ones that have the holes in the floor where you can see the road and where the driver is screaming at somebody on his cellphone and giving the finger to other drivers whilst peering out a windsheild covered in coptic fiber optic popes?  This is not a Newark problem....