Fireman fined after blocking hydrant

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The New York City Conflict of Interest Board has fined a firefighter $1,000 after he parked in front of a hydrant and left a note asking not to be ticketed.

The board heard Monday that Christopher Santana was photographed parking his Cadillac SUV, which bears license plates reading "BRAVEST1," in front of a hydrant May 11 and leaving a note on his dashboard asking traffic agents not to give him a citation, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

"I'm really a fireman," Santana wrote. "I work in Engine 46."

"Thank you for your courtesy," the note read.

Santana, a four-year veteran of the city fire department, admitted to the accusations, the Daily News said.