[quote=spdrun]Other than the undercover cops in the crowd which should have done something, the NYPD lacks the ability to teleport to the scene of a crime in progress. Especially if traffic is backed up along a fairly narrow highway (look at the map — 3 very narrow lanes per direction /w no shoulder) and the crime scene is moving.

Though I’ve heard the complaint that they focus too much on lower (below 100th St) Manhattan due to tourism, which may be a valid one.

Police are people, not superhumans. Yes, they have helicopters, but getting a helo into the air isn’t as simple as jumping into a squad car.[/quote]

agree, NYPD strategy that weekend needs to be evaluated. It did look like they placed a lot of their forces in and around Time Square, which significantly handicapped their ability to take care of potential flash points elsewhere. The NYPD knew about the “Hollywood Block Party” and the problems caused last year. Did they really think by sealing off Time Square, the bikers would just drive back home? There should have been heavy police presence throughout the major thoroughfares, there shouldn’t have been “off duty cops” that weekend, IMHO.