Sunday, November 4th.
So, I got to the Y the next day, expecting another day of complete mayhem. Fortunately, there were good news. Another truck was indeed coming, but rather than giving it out to the residents, we would make a list of all the housebound seniors who cannot leave their buildings because the elevators werent running and deliver the food to their doors. Unfortunately, the truck was running late, and no one had any idea when it would get there because the cellphones weren't working properly due to storm damage to the towers.
So, I was standing outside with the Y's volunteer coordinator, when these nice blokes appeared out of nowhere.
Turns out, the city was doing its own relief effort. Right in front of our loading dock. Well, crap.
Still, we gathered up our volunteers
A
COJO bigshot appeared, and started giving out assignments. Turns out, the Y was notified, just no one bothered to inform us of the fact. Given last night's experience, I got to be in charge of our volunteers assisting the Guardsmen with crowd control. Swell.
Here are these fine blokes, not paying much attention to anything
Meanwhile, a small group of various officials has gathered outside and was busy deciding who is in charge of what
Even the Homophobe Army was there, although with only two geezers, they weren't doing much of anything except taking credit
Meanwhile, the Horde was already gathering:
About two dozen cops showed up:
Then...nothing. The Guardsmen and city officials were waiting for supplies to arrive, but no one knew what these supplies would be, or when they are coming. Eventually, the time of 1 pm was announced. At that time, it was 11:30. Swell.
Eventually, trucks did start to arrive:
So did an AT&T antenna truck, that was supposed to improve reception (it didn't)
Mobile charging station, too:
This was 12:30 or so. People in the crowd were beginning to get agitated.
Soon, busses arrived and disgorged a literal army of city volunteers:
And work began in earnest
I have to say, the effort was extremely impressive. I was jealous.
Our truck showed up, too, but was turned away:
The crowds were getting antsy, but they weren't distributing anything:
Not all supplies had arrived, you see. So, at about 1:30, this shows up:
And distribution began:
They gave everyone bags, and then each volunteer at their station gave them an item. It was extremely fast and efficient. Even dozens of Hispanic line-jumpers who "misplaced" theirs ("get on the subway and get over here, they are giving out free food!" I overheard one scream into his phone as I was passing by) did not delay the effort by much.
The line was long, but moved quickly:
They ran out quickly, but so did the line. Then, more trucks began to arrive, carrying more supplies:
And the lines began again.
It was a great effort, but 3 days too late and in the wrong place. Brighton had open stores, it did not need survival rations. These supplies were desperately needed in Coney Island, Seagate, Red Hook, and the Rockaways. Instead, they went to the place of million dollar condos and Maseratis:
Parked right outside of the Y.
Meanwhile, back at the Y, our volunteers were busy bagging up the food we did have available, and preparing it to be delivered the next day:
While working with the crowd, I have taken down more than 60 addresses of senior citizens who needed help, so they had plenty of destinations. So, at least, it wasn't a total waste like the day before.
Also, apparently, using a bullhorn to give directions is inhumane and disrespectful, according to the Mayor's office. We must engage in face to face communication as equals or some such.
Yeah, you try to explain to a crowd of 600 people how to cook an MRE. Fucking bureaucrat.
Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin
