BX. Fare Beater Bushwack

And you thought speed traps were bad? When police position themselves in a concealed location, ready to pounce on lawbreaking (albeit harmless) citizens who think they're in the clear, it's known as a "speed trap." New York's version, however, doesn't involve out-of-town motorists and overpasses, but secret subway rooms. Last week The Daily News reported that Bronx police officers are resorting to such tactics near Yankee Stadium because of a ticket quota system in place. Also reported was the withholding of overtime if you fail to meet your quota. While sneaky law enforcement and sudden, abrupt changes in speed limits at least give an illusion of aiding public safety, the crack down on turnstile jumpers is even more ridiculous. 

Any organization, like the MTA, that continuously mismanages their enormous budget and can miraculously discover $500 million they didn't know existed, is unlikely to be put in the red due to a few turnstile-hoppers. Besides, the police have bigger problems in the tunnels these days, like say, the dreaded subway perverts who are shamelessly exposing themselves (or even licking others). The real source behind the turnstile crackdown is, of course, those bogus crime stats. Computers never lie, so when a printout reports crime, the only way to combat this insurgency of lawlessness is to arrest someone. But as long as turnstile jumpers outnumber pervs, you can bet who will be targeted.