Dear NYPD: It's NOT Illegal to Dance in NY City

In one of the most absurd stories I've read about New York City Police Department abuses in the city, we can read about how two people were arrested by the NYPD (NY Police Department) for DANCING on a subway platform.

A couple (in their 50s) had gone to a jazz performance at Lincoln Center (where a person can hear alot of different types of musical performances) and decided to dance a little while they were waiting for their train to go home.

They were arrested for this by two (idiotic) cops.  Of course, this couple decided to sue the city and will now receive $75,000 for being falsely arrested while innocently dancing.

In the article you'll see they received a settlement.  A settlement is an offer of money by the party being sued to end a case before a trial.

They are not the only people who decided to sue the NYPD recently. Last year there were 2,004 law suits filed against police officers from the NYPD.  The city has had to pay millions of tax-payer dollars to people because of the illegal and abusive behavior of some New York cops.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/01/20/NYC-settles-lawsuit-over-subway-dancing/UPI-29181358710929/

1)  Does the number of law suits against NY Police Officers surprise you?

2)  How do you feel about the fact that these two (harmless) people were arrested?  Do you think the police officers might have been justified in arresting them?

3)  Do you think that the cops who arrested this innocent couple should be fired? Should they be disciplined?

4)  The police officers who break the law and abuse people do not have to pay for these law suits.  The people of NY City have to pay the victims of police crimes.  Is this right?

5)  What kind of message is the police sending to the rest of world by arresting people for dancing in New York City?

6)  It seems as if these types of activities by NY police officers are relatively common.  Why do you think such abuses occur?  How can they be stopped?  Is the Mayor responsible?  The Police Chief?

7)  When something like this happens, some people say, "Well, you can't judge the entire NYPD based on the crazy and irresponsible actions of one or two cops."  Do you agree or disagree? If 2,000 law suits were filed against police last year, that is an average of 5 law suits a day.

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Yes, I'm the guy who caused the "scandal" in Asia two years ago :P
http://www.shoutcastblog.com/2010/05/11/wondergirls-were-mistreated-by-jyp-entertainment/

Yes, I'm also the guy who wrote the very funny ESL book: New York City Sucks, But You'll Wanna Live Here Anyway 
http://www.amazon.com/Sucks-Youll-Wanna-Anyway-ebook/dp/B004TSPAQS