ansoncfit

Fishy Business

I had oyster and lobster for the first time tonight, at the Union Oyster House. It was kind of funky, but my aunt, uncle, and cousin can testify that I avoided making the faces my sister made in the Tokyo fish market. I like the Oyster House, especially more than Legal Sea Foods.

I absolutely hate Legal Sea Foods. I got sick after eating some of their clam chowder back in 2006. Their advertising campaigns are stupid. And now they’re threatening legal action against the MBTA for not running some disrespectful ads. I don’t think it is acceptable for Legal to run ads that say “This conductor has a face like a halibut.” It undermines riders’ respect of the system, it’s not funny, it’s not “fresh,” and I certainly agree with the T that it is a “demeaning and disparaging” advertisement. What’s really egregious is that Legal Sea Foods is trying to make this such a big issue. With interest, the T has $8.1 billion in debt. They certainly shouldn’t be using their strapped resources to deal with Legal’s legal threats.

So I will definitely not be visiting Legal Sea Foods in the event I ever want to try lobster or oysters again. I can only (spitefully) hope that the fish truck that flipped on the Masspike was theirs.

Read Full Post | July 03 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

Garbage Truck Hits Fung Wah Bus

Gothamist reports that a Fung Wah bus was involved in a fatal crash this morning.  A garbage truck leaving the Manhattan Bridge hit the bus near its loading zone.  The bus then crashed into a bank, killing a pedestrian.  Cars and trucks definitely speed off the Manhattan Bridge (though it’s hard to tell in the picture below because of the construction).

Here’s a picture from the same spot, looking the other way.  The buses load at the curb in the picture below.  I can see how a large truck rounding the corner into a departing bus could cause some major problems.  The bank that was hit is just around the corner on the right.

Read Full Post | June 23 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

Last Update of the Night

T experiencing delays, dispatchers asking operators to hold connections and apologize to passengers for delays.

Route 8 is being diverted due to Boston Celtic Championship Celebrations. Boston Police have closed Brookline Ave. from Park Dr. to Beacon St.
Inbound Connections can be made Brookine Ave and Park Dr..
Outbound Connections can be made at Kenmore Station.
6/18/2008 12:20 AM

[From mbta.com]

EMS called for man who lacerated his arm by punching through vehicle window.

Officer yelling: “Foot pursuit!” [Dispatcher and other officers confused]

Outside fire, 1263 Tremont [police verify, report mostly boxes being burned in middle of street]

Possible Missing person, last seen in Waltham, reported at 267 Waverley in Belmont

Fire alarm, Broad and Water

Central Square (closest bars to me) has just been reported clear.  I’m going to sleep, though I’m sure the fun will continue…

Read Full Post | June 18 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

More Mayhem from the Scanner

Officers currently sweeping Faneuil requested to sweep the large Government Center garage after they sweep the Hall.  People are setting up a party there with loudspeakers.

Outside fire reported at 6 Beacon Street

Power outage reported. Edison working to restore service.

Officer injured at Brookline and Fenway: Two ambulances requested.

Ambulance requested at 125 Tremont for a head injury.

Read Full Post | June 18 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

Hit and Run

More cars needed at Brookline and Fenway and Longwood and Fenway.

Officers stop a large white bus with 20 people on the roof at 281 Newbury St.

Reported Vandalism, 90 Canal St.

Fire Dispatch: “Engine 4 has report of a man down, police, in Area A1.”

Hit and Run – Female struck by a vehicle at N. Washington and Endicott. Mass License Plate 420ZW (2004 White Ford Explorer, registered in Lynnfield), heading from the North End to Charlestown.  Confusion as to whether an officer is currently with the victim.

Read Full Post | June 18 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

“We’ve Run Out of Officers Right Now”

Dispatchers try to send two units from Boston Common to Clinton and North to control a “large crowd”

Dispatcher then reports that two MBTA buses full of officers are headed down

Officers respond that more crowd control is needed.

Officer reports that Tremont St. is gridlocked and needs more officers.

Dispatcher: “Yep, we’ve run out of officers right now”

Officer: “Yeah, okay…We’ll start pulling dispatchers”

“Tremont St. is a parking lot”

Group of eight males on Commonwealth Ave near Charlesgate West heading towards Kenmore, “vandalizing” [I can almost see this spot from my building]

Department of Public Works needed to clean up a mess at the corner of Mass Ave. and Melnea Cass Blvd. [near my office]

Read Full Post | June 18 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

The Dignified Celebrations Continue

Mass Ave. and Boylston (Just across the Harvard Bridge from my place):

Officer: “The diverting traffic here seems to be working – we’ve still got a couple hundred but they’re losing steam”

Fire Dept. investigating 239-251 Hanover St.

Fire Dept. responding to 204 Prescott

Transit Officer needed at Maverick Station

Shots Fired: Dispatcher using ShotSpotter: “It sounded like a high-powered rifle, possibly a 30-30 Winchester” [Later disregarded due to the "celebratory time" of the night]

Sending three buses to pick up officers at Boylston and Brookline [Directly across the Charles River from my place]

[Hearing lots of horns and sirens on the radio]

Read Full Post | June 18 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

The Glass Smashing Starts

“Captain, we’re asking you to send three squads down towards the Garden”

Glass break alarm at 85 Canal St.

All quiet in Mattapan Square, but disturbance at 1450 Blue Hill Ave.

All traffic from Fanueil Hall is being directed up State St then down towards the common.

Traffic jammed at Congress.

Surface Rd. backed up towards North End and the Garden

[Meanwhile, I can hear the helicopters circling]

Read Full Post | June 18 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

More Riots

Dispatcher request that officers “Stop traffic coming on Brighton Ave from Harvard Ave”

Brookline Ave is already closed down

T Dispatcher: “All operators please use caution.  We have a lot of people celbrating out there and they could run in front of vehicles.  All operators please reduce your speeds and use caution”

Read Full Post | June 18 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

“Celebrate with Dignity

The Lakers just lost 131-92.  I’m glad that I replaced the antenna on my scanner radio.  Pretty awesome police action so far, and it’s only 12:25.  A lot of it is happening between the LMA and Kenmore, on the route I walked home from work today.  Highlights so far have included “throwing barrels,” fires, and police bus logistics.

Officer: “…fires…and we’re getting overrun”

Dispatcher: “I know they’re being overrun over there with the kids starting the fires and climing the scaffolding down there, but I only have one wagon to send”

Officer: “Meet us down with the gear, we’re gonna get suited up”

More coming…

Read Full Post | June 18 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

Storrow Drive Crash

“Passenger Cars Only” doesn’t seem at all ambiguous to me.  I guess this truck driver didn’t get the message.  Luckily this didn’t happen last night, when I was walking over this bridge.

Read Full Post | June 10 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |

I Can’t Escape the Dirty Jersey

A fugitive from New Jersey is believed to be in the neighorhood setting fire to apartments…

Police believe that Prall may have set fire to a Broadway apartment building to smoke out a former girlfriend. Prall is said to frequent Boston and Cambridge homeless shelters as well as the streets of Central Square.  [from Bostonist]

Central Square is about a 15 minute walk away…I’ll need to be extra vigilant about crazy arsonists.

Read Full Post | June 10 2008 | Local News | No Comments » |