A few years ago I was in Luzern (=Lucerne), Switzerland; I noticed the aftermath of a minor traffic accident between two cars. After the two cars departed, there was some broken glass left in the street, the policeman on the scene, took out a broom and pan (from his trunk) and swept up the glass. I just can't see a NYC policeman sweeping up broken glass--it would remain in the roadway until the next time road sweepers came through.
Neither can I. So what?
Reminds me of when I was leaving a law firm with colleagues in Switzerland. As we were going down some steps, I nearly slipped and remarked to them in a gentle way that perhaps the area should be lighted better or someone might fall. I caught myself quickly, however, and said to their smiles, "Then again, the attitude of the legal system here is probably, 'look where you're going.'"
