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Called Out For Not Wearing Mask, NYPD Officer Dismisses Teen As "Male Version Of Karen"
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Sep 16, 2020
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By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Sep 16, 2020
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A teenager who confronted a pair of NYPD officers for not wearing masks inside a Brooklyn subway station was brushed off as a "male version of Karen" — just one day after the MTA directed the city's cops to crack down on maskless transit riders with $50 fines.
Mihai Ciocan, an 18-year-old freshman at NYU, said he was walking through the Clark Street station in Brooklyn on Tuesday night when he passed two officers without face coverings in a narrow mezzanine. "Does the fine apply to you guys or just me if I don't wear a mask in the subway?" he inquired.
“Actually, it states that as long as you can maintain six feet of distance, you don’t have to wear the mask," Officer McMahon replied. “If you want to step within six feet of me, I’ll gladly put on the mask."
After Ciocan pointed out that the two officers were standing close to each other, the second officer, who is also not wearing a mask, asked whether the teenager had anything better to do.
"You’re the person who calls someone, when someone’s selling a water bottle on the streets, you’re the person who calls them. Alright Karen. You’re the male version of Karen," said the second cop, identified by the teen as Officer Saeed. "Take care, Karen."
Ciocan, who shared video of the confrontation on his TikTok page, said he was taken aback by the officer's comments.
"It’s kind of shocking. I know New York was hit really hard by the pandemic. I expected better from them," he told Gothamist. "It doesn’t really match up with the whole 'Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect' thing I keep seeing on their cars."
Asked about the cop's use of the term Karen — a popular meme typically applied to white women who call the police on people of color — Ciocan responded: "Good for him. He probably got bullied in high school."
NYPD officers have routinely flouted the state's mask wearing rules since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed the lives of 46 members of the police department.
Earlier this month, the department held a large indoor ceremony to honor an NYPD chief's retirement. Video of the sendoff, shared by Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, showed a crowd of officers without masks, and in apparent violation of a state health guidance prohibiting events with more than 50 people.
Speaking with NY1 on Monday, Shea denied that there was an issue of mask compliance within the department.
“Can you get a picture of an officer that takes his mask off? Of course, like you can with any New Yorker," he said. "We have internal policies that we can institute discipline if that's warranted," he added.
A spokesperson for the NYPD did not respond to Gothamist's inquiries about the video.
“Everyone in the transit system is required to wear a mask – it’s the law – no exceptions," NYC Transit President Sarah Feinberg said in a statement. "This is a matter of respect for fellow New Yorkers, including our customers and employees, and for public health and safety.”
The transit agency did not say whether anyone had been fined for refusing to wear a mask.
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Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz 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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