Small penalties can precipitate risky acts when they are not, as a portion of one’s income, small. Here’s what New York charges people for various minor offenses:
• $25 for an open container of alcohol
• $115 for stopping or standing in a roadway or highway
• $115 for standing or parking on a curb when not allowed
• $250 for disorderly conduct
• $250 for a noise disturbance
Police get broad leeway in determining whether to cite you for such offenses. Take noise disturbances. Some are obvious: a bellowing car stereo, a party, hollering on the street. Or perhaps merely raising your voice to a police officer.
Sleeping or resting in public is another vague standard, used to clear away people who appear homeless or vagrant. Black men are frequently arrested or fined for falling asleep on the train, even if they’re simply tired on a long commute. Lewd conduct fines can arise simply from wearing your pants too low. If you are wearing a two-finger ring and happen to be black, you can be arrested for jewelry that reminds a cop of brass knuckles. QOL literally allows police to mete out punishment if they don’t like your look.
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