NYPD Work Slowdown

For John, BLUF:  I bet that revenue collection is incidental to policing, but a good source of revenue.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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This is an issue of Police vs Revenuers.

From The New York Post we have an article on the New York Police Department conducting a work slowdown.  "Arrests plummet 66% with NYPD in virtual work stoppage".  The Reporters are Messrs Larry Celona, Shawn Cohen and Bruce Golding and at the dateline is December 29, 2014 | 11:30pm

It’s not a slowdown — it’s a virtual work stoppage.

NYPD traffic tickets and summonses for minor offenses have dropped off by a staggering 94 percent following the execution of two cops — as officers feel betrayed by the mayor and fear for their safety, The Post has learned.

Here is the question.  Is this a good thing or a bad thing? On the one hand, the con-men playing three card monte and the shell game are already back, taking money from the tourists and the otherwise gullible.  On the other hand, those engaged in reasonable and needed businesses, albeit illegal, are free to ply those trades without police interference. A Commenter on the Althouse Blog, going by the name "Full Moon", notes:

It has helped contribute to a nose dive in low-level policing, with overall arrests down 66 percent for the week starting Dec. 22 compared with the same period in 2013, stats show.

Citations for traffic violations fell by 94 percent, from 10,069 to 587, during that time frame.

Summonses for low-level offenses like public drinking and urination also plunged 94 percent — from 4,831 to 300.

Even parking violations are way down, dropping by 92 percent, from 14,699 to 1,241.

At a hundred dollar fine per offense, looks like almost 2,800,00 lost revenue so far.

So, is this about policing or about government revenue?

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff