Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Two Men Charged With Reckless Endangerment For Subway Breakdancing


By

Ben Yakas

Published Jan 2, 2014

Modified Jan 2, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

daniel.gene on Flickr


By

Ben Yakas

Published Jan 2, 2014

Modified Jan 2, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Our feelings on subway dancing have been well-documented: we generally love when inspired people get a little funky, but hate when it becomes a big dangerous congregation of sweaty bodies on the platform. But breakdancers in subway cars are a whole other beast, and two of them felt the long arm of the law last week.

The NYPD says Shamik Watson, 20, and Andrew Washington, 18, were arrested last Friday for breakdancing on a crowded northbound A train around 12:30 in the afternoon (a.k.a. Showtime). A plainclothes officer who was riding the train spotted the two, and apparently his heart wasn't moved by their dancing and somersaulting.

Both men have been charged with reckless endangerment for dancing. A police source explained to DNAInfo that they "caused a hazard to themselves and others around them, and made excessive noise by blaring music from a stereo."

This is another reminder that you should be very careful about how you swivel your hips in Bomont, New York. Then again, if you can pull off the Charleston, it might be worth the risk.

Tagged

arrest

breakdancing

dancing

MTA

nypd

police

subway

subway dancing

train


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls

The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.

By

Michael Sol Warren

Published Oct 27, 2026 at 7:42 p.m. ET

Modified Oct 27, 2026 at 11:14 p.m. ET


Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting

The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.

By

Samantha Max

News

Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting

The charge against him was upgraded following an “extensive investigation,” the DA’s office said.

By

Samantha Max


Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations

By

David Brand

1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting

By

Catalina Gonella

Police arrest man in Queens stabbings that ended with officer shooting woman

By

Ryan Kost


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .