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"Block the Box" Crackdown Criticized

by Arun Venugopal

NEW YORK, NY September 15, 2008 —The NYPD started cracking down on motorists who block the box last week, but the measure has some police officers upset. Anthony Miranda of the National Latino Officers Association says traffic agents are not trained to stop moving cars and issue summonses, the way police officers are.

MIRANDA: They have documented that's it's one of the most dangerous things New York City police officers engage in, and they are better equipped and have specialized training specifically for the purposes of car stops. Traffic enforcement agents do not. They do not even have training in non-lethal weapons.

REPORTER: The new measure allows a traffic agent to issue a $115 fine to any driver who blocks an intersection. In response to Miranda's objections, the NYPD issued a statement defending the measure.


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