"Either these guys have to figure out some way to stay awake, or they need to find a better system," the North Bergen native said.
If you know Lepore -- and many in our area do -- you can imagine how uncomfortable he is with all the media attention, including a scheduled interview tomorrow morning on the national "FOX and Friends" program.
"They said they're sending a car for me at 5:30," he said this morning. "I told them I'd rather ride my bicycle in."
Joey Lepore
Lepore, who owns and operates New York Bicycle Tour, was taking a spin through Central Park on his 50th birthday last month when he was interviewed on camera by the "Good Day New York" weatherman-in-the-street. Weeks later, he captured images of downed trees and other damage in the park caused by a major storm.
Since yesterday, the man who often says "don't make this about me" has been fielding countless calls and conducting interviews in the shadow of the bridge.
Meanwhile, officials are trying to determine how best to secure the bridge, which the union that represents Port Authority police says should be handled with uniformed officers, as is done at various tunnels in the New York metropolitan area. (See: On the Front Lines versus Terror: Asleep at the Bridge)
For Lepore, the timing is strange. Besides doing magic for hospitalized kids, he has several pet projects going, including measuring the steepest hills in North Bergen and taking snapshots of beautiful areas along the Gold Coast for the PILOT's "Where Was This Taken?" feature.
More importantly, Lepore is putting the finishing touches on a book about bicycle safety: He's genuinely hoping to steer attention away from himself and toward helping others.
"If you look at the statistic, bicycle deaths and pedestrian deaths are increasing dramatically," he said. "We need people to understand bicycle safety better -- and that goes for the people in their cars, too."
Our guardian angel on wheels had safety on his mind yesterday, as well.
More than a month ago, Lepore caught a guard napping. He knocked on the window of the tiny guard shack, waking the man inside, and made the guard promise it wouldn't happen again. But it did happen again -- twice. So Lepore took some photographs.
He wrestled with whether to publish the photos on CLIFFVIEWPILOT.COM. Eventually a mutual decision was made to hold off and see whether it happened again.
Then yesterday, on his morning ride to Central Park and back, Lepore saw another guard asleep at the switch.
"I just shook my head and kept going," he said.
On the way back, the same guard was snoozing.
It took only seconds after Lepore passed by to turn around and go back.
"Enough is enough," he said yesterday morning. "I got off my bike and went right up to the window."
The photos, posted on CLIFFVIEWPILOT.COM, took on a life of their own: Various media outlets pursued the story. And by 5 p.m., the Port Authority had announced that both guards had been dismissed.
That was news Lepore didn't want to hear.
"I couldn't sleep at all last night. I'm not even going to ride today," he said. "I wish they would have gotten suspended or something less severe. It's hard enough to find work these days and to lose a job can't be a good thing. My prayers are for those two guys and their families."
He understands, however, that he did the right thing.
"This wasn't the first or second or third time," Lepore said.
"How much more can I let it go by before somebody does blow the bridge up and I'm sitting here with a stack of photos of someone sleeping on the job? Everyone would look at me say, 'Why didn't you say something'?"
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Lorraine
said:
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... I know that Joey struggled with what to do about this. He has such a big heart and does not want to get anyone in trouble. He is not only a very special guy, he is a hero in my book! Love you big time Joey!! |
missreporter
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I just want to know how much are the PA-GWB guards paid? how are they screened? what kind of training do they receive? no, they should not be sleeping on the job but it is up to the Port Authority to make sure they are hiring the right people and training them in the right way to do such an important and vigilant task. Let's not blame this fellow in isolation, does the PA take this job seriously or not? Yeah they fired the guys, and now what? |
..., Low-rated comment [Show]
Lorraine
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... This is to Joey Schneider! Joey Lepore is no rat! You are a an ignorant ass who knows nothing about this man. He is also into bicycle safety and following the traffic laws. Anyone who knows him is well aware of that! Who are you to falsely accuse him of being someone else? Joey struggled with this for weeks. He did not want to get anyone in trouble, These men continued to sleep on the job. They are in security positions, not mattress testers! Joey Lepore is a man with a good heart and is concerned for people's safety. He was upset that those men got fired To me, it sounds as though you are threatening Mr. Lepore, or at the very least, are wishing him bodily harm. You are a sick freak! You know nothing about being a good person with a heart, which is exactly what Joe Lepore is! You could never be a quarter of the man that Joey Lepore is! |
Joe Lepore
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... Ouch Joey, that hurts. Am I guilty of "running" red lights here and there...yes. Do I cut in and out of traffic?...NO Do I flip off cars? I have. Why? Was it YOU being aggressive and trying to run down a cyclist? It's NOT easy out there - for any of us; you, me and the cars, etc. Am I a "rat"? I don't know? I never ratted anyone out before so I can't answer that. Why did I turn these guys in? Because I don't want to read in the paper that YOU were on the GWB when it was blown up. I feel VERY BADLY about what happened to those two guys and them losing their job. I couldn't sleep last night and feel like crap now. I sat on the first set of pictures for almost three weeks. I spoke to the dude the first time I took the pictures. HE assured me it wouldn't happen again. Was he playing me? I gave him a chance to do the right thing. Now you say I did the wrong thing. I'm sorry Joey. I'm sorry to the families of the men who lost their job. I'm sorry for the two men who lost their job. I have tears in my eyes. Ouch Joey, that hurts. Am I guilty of "running" red lights here and there...yes. Do I cut in and out of traffic?...NO Do I flip off cars? I have. Why? Was it YOU being aggressive and trying to run down a cyclist? It's NOT easy out there - for any of us; you, me and the cars, etc. Am I a "rat"? I don't know? I never ratted anyone out before so I can't answer that. Why did I turn these guys in? Because I don't want to read in the paper that YOU were on the GWB when it was blown up. I feel VERY BADLY about what happened to those two guys and them losing their job. I couldn't sleep last night and feel like crap now. I sat on the first set of pictures for almost three weeks. I spoke to the dude the first time I took the pictures. HE assured me it wouldn't happen again. Was he playing me? I gave him a chance to do the right thing. Now you say I did the wrong thing. BUT... WHAT IF??? What if...what if someone did get a bomb past a sleeping guard? I'm sorry Joey. I'm sorry to the families of the men who lost their job. I'm sorry for the two men who lost their job. I have tears in my eyes. I’m NOT an Angel. I’m NOT a Hero. I’m NOT Perfect. I need all the help I can get. Please pray for me. |
..., Low-rated comment [Show]
Lorraine
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... To J. Schneider- I would NEVER wish harm on another human being. When I see foolish people driving crazy on the roads, I pray about it. I don't want them to hurt any one else, but I don't wish them any harm either. It was you who spoke in an ignorant manner by falsely assuming that the cyclist who you have ill will toward was Joe Lepore. It would have been good to get the facts first! Your words said it all Joe. If you want to think I'm ignorant, then so be it. I won't lose any sleep over it. My only regret is that I called you an "ass". You see, it is not like me to do that. I don't use language like that. I was very angry when you insulted and falsely accused my friend. I apologize for that, but nothing else. You were really out of line. |
Joey Schneider
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... Lorraine im glad we came to our senses my apologies to you to. I think my ill comment was taken out of context, I wish Mr Lepore understands my anger is towrds another issue not this one i will look for another forum to vent my frustration with those maniacs (byciclist) you haveca good nite hope Lapore and wish him well again hes got my support. |
Ivy
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Just sign up so I can comment Wow! Hope your proud of yourself getting the guards fired. I feel so much safer now...NOT! You know ,if you really wanted to *ahem* keep us safe, you could of done this anonymously. Could of went to the company itself, or find their website,shoot off an email. Many ways you could of gone about it. Oh yeah you really ''struggled'' about doing this or not.The dude was asleep! It wasn't like he was lighting a crack pipe! Not saying it was right ,but it didn't warrant you going public like that. You could of had the decency to at least blur their faces on the photo too. Instead you basically wanted your 15 minutes of fame, got your photo splashed everywhere. And the photo of you behind the American flag makes me wanna vomit. Patriotic my ....! Another attention whore. You're no better than that Chris Crocker idiot. So what's next? Maury? Oprah? Enjoy the perks while you Joey. The free ride will end soon. |
steve
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Private Security Ladies and Gentleman. Firstly, I do agree, that if anyone who wants to work in security should be prepared to work strange hours. Even when your body is saying, "time to sleep." but you must not. Working in the security industry is no fun. As a former Police Officer, I myself found it difficult not to fall asleep, but you discipline yourself so that you do not fall asleep on the Job. As for screening personnel and future employees, that can be very difficult, unless they have a perfect track record. The major fault is the Private Security Owners, They, the owners are paid from $35 to $50 hr for each guard, officer, watchman, or what ever you want to call them, by the city. The company then hires these men and women, and pay them only $8.50 to $12 dollars an hour with no benefits. Therefore, some of these guards really do not care, but may also have a second job. I have been a supervisor for many security company, and found my officers asleep. I would wake them up and tell them to get some coffee, What joey should of done was to ask the guard if he could get him a cup of coffee, and tell the guard to bring a small DVD player, maybe a book next time. Unfortunately, he chopped their heads off. These gentlemen will never be able to find a job in security again in that town and/or city, state. No company are going to hire them. Finally, many guards are not well educated, and even if they were, they are looked down upon, laughed upon, made fun upon. Security live a double edged sword. Blame it on security. ANYONE WATCHED MALL COP? Did you know that Airport Police was caught asleep in their patrol vehicles. watch out for the posting. |
Ivy
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Thank you Steve! That 's an excellent point. Thank you for the intelligent post. All Joey did was basically ruin their lives and careers. He really didn't think this through. The offering of coffee and other things you suggested would of been better than just sending them to the slaughter. |
Lyle
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"Steve" Incorrect about private security "Steve" who claims to be a security manager has several mistakes. First in fact FJC pays benefits. These security officers were well paid, with good benefits. What they were doing is no different than stealing. They were taking a paycheck and regularly sleeping. It is no different than trying to take a paycheck for a job for which you don't show up. In this case they are there to protect against serious threats and dangers. Blaming Joey is idiotic. We are the customers. If you walk into a mcdonalds and an employee charges you $5 and gives you no food, would you offer them a cup of coffee? Frankly the guards should be asked to give their past paychecks up! Joey didn't "ruin their careers" the guards ruined their own careers. Anyway is sleeping for a living while promising to be vigilant, a career? |
Dont be so quick to judge
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Dont be to quick to judge It's really not an excellent point, but rather someone else's opinion of what would have been right with a slight sympathetic view because he "has been there done that" so feels sorry for those guys. Just my opinion of course. The fact of the matter is these guys were wrong and the public is sick and tired of no accountability. If he had gone to the security company they may have given a slap on the wrist, who is to say? The Port Authority may have only filed a complaint with the company but once again general practice and experience says nothing really would have happened as they would have left discipline up to the contracted company. By going public you force accountability that otherwise would not have been there and three months later you find these guys on a different bridge doing the same thing. Tax payers are tired of paying for services that are substandard at best but gouge our wallets like crazy and leave us vulnerable because someone couldn't stay up for 8 hours. It's rediculous to think that reporting this to the company would have resulted in anything other than maybe moving them to another bridge. They fired them to cover their own ass for using cheap labor to line their own pockets with taxpayer money. Who holds the company responsible if you report it to them? They ultimately need to be the ones to answer and should lose their contract! Stop berating this guy for doing his civil duty of bringing a serious security issue to light. Sounds to me like some of you must sleep on the job as well for taking such a hard stance on this issue. And to question someones patriotism because they brought to light some gross negligence, regardless of how they did it, is just rediculous. He helped inform the people of this serious breach and should be commended. |
Tre
said:
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What is the real reason? To gain fame and to promote a book. Did Mr. Lepore do the right thing by exposing the 2 security guards for sleeping while duty? Sure. Mr. Lepore states that He wrestle with this decision. Right! Mr. Lepore said that on Aug.5, he saw a guard sleeping for the 3rd time, but spoke to him. Mr. Lepore said that the guard was apologetic. How come Mr. Lepore didnt do this for the guard on Aug. 31? If Mr. Lepore had enough, why not knock on the booth and wake the guard up and inform him that you caught him sleeping on the job and the next time he will get reported. What Mr. Lopore did was right in the eye of the public but to what extent? How many times have we messed up on our jobs and recieved WARNINGS? The security guards at the GWB have saved many people from comitting suicide by jumping over the bridge. These security guards place their lives in danger everyday not Mr. Lepore. Just because these guards made a mistake, does it garner national attention to promote a book on biker's safety. Sure we all need to have something to elevate us to the next level. Mr. Lepore knew he had valuable information when he snapped those photos. So to gain exposure of himself as a hero for saving the lives of many people and making the public aware of this incident from 2 sleeping guards, I say Kudos. But Mr. Lepore didnt take this into consideration not only did the 2 security guard lose their jobs, but the 50-70 guards that work there jobs are in jepoardy because Mr. Lepore could have kept this from going public. There are other ways to promote a book |
Lyle
said:
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... @Tre above Said: "But Mr. Lepore didnt take this into consideration not only did the 2 security guard lose their jobs, but the 50-70 guards that work there jobs are in jepoardy because Mr. Lepore could have kept this from going public." Sounds like we have some people from the company who also sleep on the job commenting! How are the 50 to 70 other guards that work their also at risk "Tre" (and how do you know)? Because there are tapes of them sleeping as well and they just got warnings? Save it "Tre" -- Lapore did warn them. |
Tre
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Mr. Lepore is a COWARD!!!!!! @Lyle: How do you know that there are tapes of them unless you work for Port Authority management and have personally seen the tapes? I gather my information from the various articles that were written about this incident. Are you serious! There is a big photo of Mr. Lepore with a American flag in the background to show he is patriotic. Wow! Was that picture taken on purpose? Sure Like I previously stated, in the eyes of the public, Mr. Lepore did the right thing by exposing the 2 security guards to the national media to promote his book. We all have an hidden agenda, both got expose!!!! And, Kyle if you can truly read, he did not approach the 2nd guard, he only approach 1. get your facts straight!!!!! |
jay green
said:
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... i agree that the pictures of the guards should have been brought to port authority police instead of posted on the internet. but really: does the majority of bridge path users feel or believe that the guys in the booth are keeping them and the bridge safe? sure, it gives you a sense of comfort but as a witness to an altercation at midspan, they arent very affective. further, do those people using the pathway agree that closing the path between midnight and 6am is also keeping the bridge safe? personally, i find bigger issue with the path closing than the guards sleeping. ive seen the guards sleeping for years. its nothing new. i feel that anyone who believes that a terrorist attack hinges on the protection and closure of the pedestrian path is foolish. i am one of those aggressive cyclists joey schneider was complaining about. however you may be missing the fact that i dont cut in front of cars because its fun, i cut in front of cars to put me in a less dangerous position. if you ride you would understand. cutting in front of a car is not safe, it is an alternative to a less safe situation. |
Ted Royster
said:
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... You get what you pay for. It's like having wolves watching the chicken farm. 10 to 12 dollars an hour with no union or benefits. |
steve
said:
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Lyle. Lyle, Call and/or apply yourself for the job, $9.50 hour to start. No benefits for 6 months while on probation, thereafter, 50% cost. Call and ask yourself. And yes, I am 46 years old, Former British Police Officer. Worked with several Armed Private security companies in the USA. Successfully help them with growth and training. Implementing new directives and assisting the officers in developing their inner self esteem. Tactical Communication. IE. "Is there anything I can do so that we can come to a solution"? Defense, not fighting, De escalating. (as above) We do not carry guns as a bobby! Body Language. Report writing. Still want me to continue, Lyle? Former owner of a Major Fast food restaurant and various restaurant in management. Degree in Management and Accounting. Electronics Engineer. Engineer for Xerox / and sometimes worked in there accounts Dept. Speak 3 languages. Currently working for the State. Why do I stay in security, I like inter reacting with members of the public, Remember, it is not only security guards that sleep. I have seen FBI Agents who sleep in their cars when they are suppose to be watching, and including the Police! If you were a terrorist, how would you blow up a bridge? One of the many Answers on how i think a terrorist would do it. To cause complete collateral damage, one must make the structure to collapse. Placing a I.E.D on top of the bridge will only cause damage to the road, and injury and/or kill a small amount of civilian life. Now, if you place a explosive device on the main structures, the legs of the bridge, during heavy traffic, when that explodes, you have a major lost of life. Emergency vehicles can only get there by Air and/or boat.. How does one stop that from happening, CCTV, and motion senors under the bridge. How do you monitor the guard who is suppose to be monitoring the CCTV? Cameras in their shack monitored by their control room, supervisors conducting post checks. Were their supervisors parked up and asleep? Even better, Motion senors that will alert the guard when some come near the bridge within a certain distance, like a tour guide officer. Cost for device, about $250 Will the company FJC security pay for such an equipment? Very much doubt. Private security are not pro-active. They only in business to make money. Money and greed. I am not saying Joey did the wrong thing, he could of sent the photos to the company and / or dept of homeland security. I would love to see you work as a security guard,Lyle, it is no fun and you have to stomach a lot shunts. Blame it on security. Security guards are the uneducated wanna be cops. Security are low paid employees, unless in management. Lyle, Ever dated anyone who was a private security guard. Think you won't even give them a minute of your time, but I'll bet you would a Police Officer, they make more money and have excellent benefits even for the family, and their retirement, wow, need i say anymore. By the way, I would take the bullet and /or die for this country, USA, if it saves 2 or more lives. Even one American live. "The needs for the many, out way the needs for the one." One of the British believes!! Steve |
steve
said:
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... A POLICEMAN ASLEEP ON POST. * September 15, 1888, Wednesday Page 8, 60 words Patrolman Jaehne of the Seventh Precinct Brooklyn, was found asleep at 12:45 o'clock yesterday morning on Van Cott-avenue. Some one had relieved him of his helmet and club. Later in the day they were taken to the Nineteenth Precinct Station House by a citizen, who said he had found them in the gutter. [ END OF FIRST PARAGRAPH ] |
steve
said:
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Memphis Tennessee 911 Operator Falls Asleep During Emergency Call Memphis Tennessee 911 Operator Falls Asleep During Emergency Call |
steve
said:
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Cop Falls Asleep at Wheel of Cruiser / christmas 2006 A former police officer who crashed her cruiser into parked cars, she blames a sleep aid for the problems. Police Officer Molly Olson |
steve
said:
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Wareham police officer falls asleep at the wheel; crashes in Halifax. 2009 It goes to show, even the professionals fall sleep!! I said my piece. Thank you all for your time. |
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