Earlier this year, I was heading downtown to check out Ghostbusters Day. As I’ve done for about 5 years or so now, I used my iPhone to pay the subway fare at Woodhaven Blvd.
I missed a train. So, I had to wait nine minutes for the next Manhattan-bound R train. Like countless commutes I’ve had throughout my life, I started to vibe out to a French psych rock album I was playing on my phone. Suddenly four cops in tactical gear approached and surrounded me —
with the leader of the pack accusing me of hopping the turnstile.
I showed these cops proof that I paid my fare through Apple Wallet but I still got issued a summons — for a fare that I proved I actually paid. Absurd but absolutely true.
The first offense is a warning. The second offense is a fine that I can’t afford. The third one could result in arrest. And knowing that the police routinely fuck with folks of color, the principle mattered a lot to me. So, I vehemently disputed the summons, firing off a polite yet deeply indignant email to the Transit Adjudication Bureau with time-stamped proof of payment.
I finally heard back from TAB the other day. TAB ruled that the Transit Authority had failed to prove that the Respondent — me — committed the violation charged by clear and convincing evidence.” They go on to say that the Notice of Violation is voided and dismissed.
Should it have lead to this? No! But vindication, y’all. Vindication.
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