In what some describe as chilling evidence of the fractured economy, squeegee men are
again descending on New York City's drivers.
Armed with buckets and $5 squeegees, a squad of men waded into stalled Times Square traffic Sunday to lather up windshields, swipe them clean and beckon for tips from drivers - some annoyed by the intrusion. A rare sight when the country's unemployment rate was a mere 5.7%, the reappearance of the crews is an in-your-windshield reminder of 9%-plus unemployment and the highest rate of poverty in 27 years. For some, they're a powerful symbol that the busted economy is bringing back the bad old days. "I'm walking and I see a man cleaning a car window. It took me back in time. I had to do a double take to make sure I was seeing right," said Reggie Thomas, 44.
Almost 20 years ago during NYC's last major economic downturn, Giuliani made eradicating the squeegee men an early priority of his administration. Drivers often felt extorted into giving tips, especially after news reports of door panels kicked-in by rebuffed window washers. The squeegee men typically target perpetually congested intersections, particularly the entrances and exits to Manhattan's tunnels.
Labels: economy, NYC, poverty, traffic
In what some describe as chilling evidence of the fractured economy, squeegee men are again descending on New York City's drivers. 
