When inconvenienced, the social contract frays

Flushing: I moved to Queens in 1994, and I’ve been privileged to live here. However, given the conduct of some of my neighbors of late, I’m disappointed with many of the people who reside in my part of the borough.

The snowstorms have revealed a selfishness that has floored me. Queens has always pulled together when times get tough — I was so proud of so many of us here during the COVID pandemic and 9/11. However, that sense of community seems to have waned. People have parked willy-nilly on our narrow side streets, blocking turning lanes and entrances. They’ve gotten into literal physical altercations during snow shoveling. People are honking their horns at each other like I’ve never heard before. Nobody is cleaning up after their pets, and there are loads of dog droppings on every block.

Recently, a Voicer complained that many people board MTA buses without paying (while managing to blame Mayor Mamdani for it somehow). Yet, she was correct about the rampant fair evasion in Queens, especially on local routes. This costs the MTA millions in revenue every year.

We need to show more appreciation and a wider sense of community lest our way of life begins to erode. Queens people are wonderful. I’ve seen them do amazing things for decades. We just need to calm down and work together for the common good, just like we always have. Robert Smith

Disrespect for authority

Brooklyn: To Voicers Therese D. Shirreffs and Richard A. D’Cruz: You hit the nail on the head. And suppose these officers threw back snowballs? Then what? I would have feared my father........

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