Jul
19
Subway panhandling arrests up 76 percent in 2011
ByWhile Mayor Michael Bloomberg may think that there aren’t very many panhandlers left in the subway, the MTA and NYPD are seemingly intent on cracking down on those who are still begging underground. According to Pete Donohue’s latest, panhandling arrests are up by 76 percent this year over last. So far, 930 beggars and peddlers have been arrested in the subways as part of the NYPD’s Manhattan-based Operation Moving Target, an undercover initiative designed to stop subway solicitation.
The program seems based upon the Broken Windows theory of law enforcement, and the NYPD admitted as much in a statement to the Daily News. “The reason the arrests are up is because there has been a concerted effort on behalf of the Transit Bureau to address quality-of-life issues due to a clear correlation between quality-of-life offenses and major crime,” the NYPD said. “The Transit Bureau focus has been on law breakers, criminal recidivists and individuals possessing warrants.” In addition to netting repeat offenders who simply re-enter the system once released from jail, the sweep has caught some Norteno bands and run-of-the-mill homeless folks. Make of it what you will.
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The 11 words that make me cringe right after the train doors close: “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention for a moment.”
How about the singers & entertainers who perform between stations? Talk about anoying.
@ManhattanHillbilly: completely agreed.
Now I hope they are equally harsh on those who choose to defecate/urinate within the system. Talk about quality of life issue!
Now I hope they are equally harsh on those who choose to defecate/urinate within the system. Talk about quality of life issue!
Oh I know. Someone did that at Secaucus Junction not that long ago. I was there Saturday & noticed it, but couldn’t find where it was comeing from.
Panhandlers are annoying. So are Important Messages from the New York City Police Department. I vote the city should empower armies of panhandlers to arrest cops on sight for inflicting this noise and irritation on subway riders.
That’s around 4.7 arrests a day in a system with 4.7 million daily riders. It’s the percentage spike is somewhat interesting, but overall this isn’t really that notable.
Either there really aren’t that many panhandlers or the task force isn’t trying hard enough.