Chaos on New York's Streets, Brought to You by the NYPD

An NYPD cruiser and a yellow cab collide on Broadway and 58th Street in Manhattan on September 13, 2020. Photo: Gabriele Holtermann/Sipa USA/AP

Ian F. Blair is a writer and editor in New York City.

On a street in Harlem, a New York Police Department officer sees a line of cars in front of him and can’t help himself. First, he sits idle, acting as if nothing is happening — because nothing, in fact, is happening. The stoplight in front of him is red, cars are patiently waiting, an e-bicycle whizzes by. A pedestrian looks both ways and crosses unremarkably.

That’s when something strange occurs. The officer inches his Ford Police Interceptor Utility — bearing the words “COURTESY”, “PROFESSIONALISM” and “RESPECT” on the rear door — forward. He turns on his lights and dials up his choice