With a crack down thanks to rider complaints, the NYPD has brought steep charges against performers on MTA trains
By Curt Cramer

You may have been in a heavily occupied tourist zone like that of Times Square or similar and seen a break dancing troupe with large crowds gathered around, performing some amazing tricks – maybe even that almost took your head off – but it’s much more rare for many to see such acts on a train… right?

Not if you looked at NYPD data this year for chargers given to dancers, which is staggeringly higher compared to years prior.

The NYPD is also cracking down much harder this year too, with close to 50 people being given reckless endangerment charges compared to just 2 last year of the same nature. While most often in the past officers would give the much less steep disorderly conduct charge to dancers, complaints given by riders of the MTA and their phone-in system have apparently increased this year, and the real time data sent to officers allows for immediate relay and apprehension.

But overall the NYPD is laying down the law at an increased rate with all violations within the subway system. Panhandling arrests are up 271% over last year’s totals, along with a 183% increase in peddling charges.

The same can be said for other cities of course, like this piece from Philadelphia’s NBC10, explaining how passengers “felt intimidated” often by the dancers in the video asking for money after dancing on SEPTA trains.

-Curt Cramer(@CurtisRemarc)