In Brooklyn, Courtesy Means Leaving Your Name And Number

Only in New York, kids, only in New York (.pdf):

Courtesy is coursing through the streets of Brooklyn like Brangelina gossip through a high school cafeteria.

The Boerum Hill Association, in conjunction with Assemblywoman Joan Millman (D-Brooklyn Heights), has started distributing plastic placards to double-parking Brooklynites in hopes that they’ll leave their phone numbers on their windshields, in case the cars they are blocking need to be moved.

“Sorry for blocking your car, neighbor!” the placards read. “If you need to get out, please call and I’ll move my car at once.”

There’s space below for the driver to write his name and phone number.

The association started distribution on Wednesday, March 30. The placard is also downloadable from the association website.

“Courtesy is contagious, and that’s what this is all about,” said Sue Wolfe, president of the Boerum Hill Association.

. . .

The Park Slope Civic Council is considering a similar program although some Slopers think it’s unnecessary.

They are solving a problem that doesn’t exist,” said George Shea, a resident of 10th Street. “Most people put their number on the dashboard. And those who do, will get their placard while those who don’t, won’t.

“If the civic groups want to do something useful for me, they can clean up the trash on Seventh Avenue. It’s a mess!

But another Park Slope resident wished someone had given him a placard when he moved to Brooklyn years ago.

“I didn’t know you’re supposed to put your phone number in the window,” said David Shenk, a writer who lives on St. James Place.

“Then, one day, I got a note on my car, saying, ‘If you EVER double-park without leaving your name and number, I’m going to hunt you down.’ As you can imagine, I have a very detailed note now.”