Peace & Quiet, Please

Dear Editor:

If, like me, you live on or near to Beach Channel Drive, then you know the noise pollution it generates that is so annoying. I am referring to the near constant wailing of ambulance sirens. Not FDNY ambulances, whose operators know how to properly utilize the siren. I’m talking about private ambulances like Senior Care and Richmond County Ambulance, who shuttle patients to and from our many nursing homes. I know for a fact that they do not transport acutely ill patients – nursing homes will call 911 when they have an acutely ill resident. These ambulances shuttle patients to and from outpatient facilities for imaging studies, tests, dialysis, etc. The operators are instructed to use their sirens, run red lights, and speed just to get to the next call faster. In other words, to make more money for the owners.

Years ago, my wife was run off of BCD by one of these maniacs. He tried to pass her on the left as she was making a left turn with her signal on. It’s long past time that our elected leaders, with the NYPD, do something to enforce our traffic rules before someone else gets hurt. And hopefully, those who live near BCD will finally get some peace and quiet.

Dr. Peter Galvin