Better yet, just report the malingerer to the cop on the next corner who is spending an 8 hour shift looking aimlessly into a hole that a backhoe dug several days before.

Another alternative is to report the man to his cousin the mayor or the city council member.

Is this always at the same time?

Sometimes the sweeper "gets into position" before the scheduled start of it's run and is either waiting for the designated time to start or is waiting for the JCPA ticket scooter to show up and "lead the way".

Or the slob could just be on the phone or taking a nap at our expense.....

If he's idling for long periods of time I would call the police and report it.

My original question was going to be: "Can someone please explain the merits of these blue and white mini-sweepers, seeing as the regular sweepers are out and about four days a week?"

But let's put that aside for a moment. One such mini-sweeper is often around downtown (municipal tag MG64144), and many more times than not I have seen it just sitting and idling with the same driver chatting on the phone, taking a nap, etc. I kid you not on the nap.

This morning's episode at 8th and Jersey lasted OVER THIRTY MINUTES ---- idling away, on his blackberry and sipping his coffee.

Yes, our vigilant city employees deserve scheduled breaks, but the simple coincidence of this guy always being seen "on break" is just too uncanny.

I'd put a photo up if I knew how to upload it from my desktop. I'm not that savvy yet with these things.