I was riding buses in NYC a lot the morning this happened, and it was crazy how they had cops EVERYWHERE. i took one bus maybe thirty blocks down fifth avenue and it got boarded FOUR TIMES by cops who asked "is everything okay?" and looked around.
when i got on the subway in harlem that morning, there were three cops scrutinizing everyone who entered the station. they didn't do anything until an obviously homeless alcoholic guy shuffled in with a little plastic shopping bag. then they swaggered over--not looking alarmed at all--surrounded and harassed him for a few minutes. "i thought we told you not to come back, Pops!" and stuff like that.
good to know NYPD is keeping me safe by harassing homeless dudes.