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NYPD Trying To Figure Out Way To Stop Arresting Subway Breakdancers
By
Ben Yakas
Published May 10, 2014
Modified May 10, 2014
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By
Ben Yakas
Published May 10, 2014
Modified May 10, 2014
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If you've felt like the subways have been missing a certain je ne sais quoi, perhaps it's the lack of Showtime in your life. The NYPD has been remarkably vigilant about cracking down on subway breakdancers in 2014: nearly 100 people have been arrested and charged for dancing on the subways this year. But NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton now says he's trying to come up with some sort of compromise, so life can get back to some sense of normal in Bomont, New York City.
"There is an opportunity in certain locations in the system where those individuals can perform and not be a risk to themselves, or to the public on moving cars," Bratton said on Friday. "On a subway car that sways, jilts, stops, it's too great to ignore and we will not ignore it." Bratton added that he would talk to the MTA about the idea, as well as permits being issued to entertain "in appropriate places," which sounds a lot like how the NYPD has dealt with underground buskers.
So far in 2014, at least 46 people have been charged with reckless endangerment—those are the Showtime breakdancers "who swing from bars and do tricks over the heads of commuters." For some comparison, only two people were charged with reckless endangerment for that in 2013.
In addition to those 46, at least another 50 people have been arrested and charged with a lesser count of disorderly conduct for dancing on trains. Only one couple, as far as we know, have been arrested for dancing the Charleston on the subway, and they were awarded $75K for their troubles. All of which is to say, if you're going to dance on the subway this weekend, maybe you should stick to some classic moves. We'll stick with some rigorous headbanging, thank you very much.
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Bill Bratton
breakdancing
it's showtime
MTA
nypd
subway
subway dancing
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Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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