Crime and Punishment

Macho guy: I just want to roundhouse a cop in the head. Then I’m gonna run my ass off.

–Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Overheard by: rob

Perfume vendor: 5 dollars! 5 dollars! Get ’em before the cops do!

–33rd & Broadway

Overheard by: rah

Girl on cell: …and then the police came so we were wondering if it was gonna be like a bar mitzvah.

–61st & Columbus

Guy on cell: He drank half a bottle of Listerine?…Let me know when the police get there.

–Central Park

Overheard by: Diane

Policeman, to erratic driver: You heard me, man, now pull over. What the hell?

–St. Mark’s & 2nd

Policewoman through loudspeaker, to erratic driver: Where did you get your license? Oh. My. God.

–Leonard & Jackson, Brooklyn

Overheard by: Chitin

Running mom, to child: Hurry up! Run, run like the cops are chasing you!

–110th & Amsterdam

Mother to friend: If our kids would just smoke weed they'd be fine.

–Borough Hall, Brooklyn

Five-year-old child, walking past table of glass bongs and pipes: Daddy, I want one!

–Astor Place

Promoter for comedy club: Free bag of weed if you come to the 9:30 show!

–Times Square

Enthusiastic, loud girl on cell: Smoking pot? So you were smoking…you don't have to be so worried about people hearing what you're saying, nobody's even listening…seriously.

–27th & 7th

Overheard by: And she had to end up being in my class..

30-something lady: When she was just selling pot to Kevin Nealon, I think that was better.

–Union Square

Overheard by: Brainy

Guy: Yeah, well, he’s a big fan of the cadaver tissue.

–Washington Heights

Lady on cell: My god he killed everyone last night. He first sat on her then started to beat on her. Then she got up and started beating on him.

–West Broadway & Chambers

Fat Hispanic woman: I don’t know, I just haven’t been using my gun lately.

–Fort Greene

Cop on megaphone: Hand over your license and your registration. Now everyone in the Heights knows what I am waiting for.

–138th St & Amsterdam Ave.

Overheard by: tony l.

Hobo: I’m just black. I’m not a criminal.

–Outside MSG

Overheard by: Barry P.

Female cop, screaming out the window of her police car: Stop yelling on the street!

–Greenwich Ave & W 13th St

Overheard by: Pierce

White teen boy: You see, you can only mess with white people and Asian people because the worst thing they’ll do is call the cops. Anybody else–no one will ever hear from you again.

–1 train, southbound

Overheard by: Stephanie Shestakow

Hobo: Stand clear of the closing doors. You cannot block the doors. Keep your belongings with you at all times. If you see a suspicious package or activity, tell a police officer or MTA employee or me. My wife died and I want you to know that I’m single. I may not have any money, but I got plenty of honey. I want all the ladies to know that I’m single. Not the men, though. I’m not gay. I’m a lesbian. I like women.

–Downtown 5 train

Cop car, driving in bike lane, on loudspeaker: Move right. Move right! Your other right, idiot!

–8th Ave & 28th St

Overheard by: Rich Mintz

Thug: I hate white people. They’re always talking to the cops.

–1st Ave & 89thSt

Cop: Excuse me sir, did you drop this Metrocard?
Asian guy: Oh thank you so much, I’ve been looking for it all over the place!
Cop: You littered. Here’s your ticket.

–Kew Gardens station

Overheard by: Ting

Idiot #1: … And that’s why they call him Ted Kaczynski, because he bit her on the ass.
Idiot #2: Really?
Idiot #1: Yeah, they got the dental records and everything. He totally bit her on the ass, and there were bite marks. That’s why they call him Ted Kaczynski.

–61st & 10th

Chick: Why did you move my beverage to the floor?
Woman #1: You’re not supposed to have drinks on the train. Especially not on the seats.
College chick: It’s not going to spill. Are you a cop?
Woman #1: No, I’m a taxpayer.
Chick: So am I. I have rights, too.
Woman #1: Yeah, I’m a cop.
Woman #2: Can you be a taxpayer and a cop?

–1 train

Mom to son exiting criminal court: So, what did they say ’bout all them drugs you do?
Young son: Nothin’! They didn’t even ask, so I didn’t say anything.
Mom: Wow! I am so proud of you.

–161st, Bronx

Guy: Yo, it’s not like a religion or nothin’. More like a nation, really. I’m tellin’ you, we got our own rules. We respect each other.
Girl #1: Are you sure it’s not a religion?
Guy: Nah. Like for example, if some guy tried to stab my friend, I’d jump in and take that blade for him. I’d do that for him.
Girl #2: That’s respect.

–B Train

Overheard by: Dominic

His Baby’s Momma: He don’t pay child support. He don’t ever see her. That’s it! I’m calling his fucking parole officer!

–West Village