Why is the NYPD at 133 East 64th Street?

The Shtunk being shoved by a photographer a couple of weeks ago, poor dear

I was on the Upper East Side this afternoon, and just for the heck of it I stopped by 133 East 64th Street, the residence of The Shtunk, a/k/a Bernie Madoff. TV trucks with big satellite dishes were lined up around the corner on Lexington Avenue, as you'd expect, and a couple of camera crews were milling around in front of the building.

No problem, to be expected. Public sidewalk, this is a free country, and inside 133 East 64th Street resides The Shtunk, after all. If the residents of that building don't like it, well, that's just tough I guess. But what did surprise me, as a New York City taxpayer, was the sight of two members of New York's Finest standing guard out front.

Why, for heaven's sake? Why is the NYPD providing police protection for a man who shouldn't even be out of jail in the first place?

This is not a polling place, or a business on strike, or a demonstration, or a the Slovak-American Parade, or some other event where the police can be expected to maintain order. Just a few camera crews waiting for a possible appearance by The Shtunk.

Seems like a waste of police resources to me.

I'd sure hate to be on that police detail. Imagine if your job was to keep order at the house of the biggest Shtunk in history.

© 2009 Gary Weiss. All rights reserved.