The Urban Speed Trap

More confirmation that cops have quotas:

Transit cops in the Bronx are hiding out in secret rooms at subway stations near Yankee Stadium to catch more fare-beaters and scofflaws, police sources told the Daily News.

The peekaboo policing has led to a string of arrests — and allegations by disgruntled cops that their commanding officer has imposed an illegal ticket-writing quota.

In a recent directive to cops in Transit District 11, NYPD Capt. Johnny Cardona admonished some officers for not writing enough tickets and told them they would not get overtime money unless they handed out more summonses.

“We had a few personnel in certain squads that did not perform to standard,” Cardona wrote in the April 18 memo obtained by The News. “So, effective immediately, those individuals will not be authorized programmatic overtime.”

. . .

PBA officials have argued that police supervisors have imposed quotas in some fashion all across the city — charges that NYPD brass have strongly denied.

However, a cop assigned to Transit District 11 said officers in subways hide out in unmarked transit offices, janitor closets and bathrooms — peering out doors and windows to catch turnstile jumpers and other scofflaws.

“I’ve done it myself,” the cop said. “It’s pretty easy. Nine out of 10 of them don’t run.”

Preventing the crimes before they happen is not encouraged, the cop said.

“We could stand out there and prevent it, but then no one would jump the turnstile,” he said. “If you want to get your numbers, you have to catch them in the act.”

Previously on “Don’t They Have Anything Better To Do?”: We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Quotas — We Have Productivity Goals For That!; Abolish The Quota System! Now!; No Ticket Quotas, Eh?