This story pretty much shows how worthless NYPD intelligence is. If there was an even a smidgen of intellect in the department, they would know what they are doing is borderline illegal and entirely useless. Never ever doubt the level of stupidity the NYPD embraces!

Kevin, keep up the good fight. Thanks for including animal shelters. Neat.

I'd rather have a police force that asks questions force. +1 for the NYPD.

*first

And yet it's still unclear what you're trying to say.

I meant that I would rather have a police force that gathers intelligence legally and openly than one that bends laws to obtain information. Also, the fact that they are using an offensive strategy (acquiring info before an event has occurred) is more effective and less open to corruption, two things I fully support. Makes sense, right?

Yo Kevin,

How goes it? I know you will keep on keeping on. Big up yo chest.

The police weren't exactly subtle about monitoring the event--here's a photo of the NYPD communications truck stationed on 15th street across from USQ a few hours before the fight:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/86954993@N00/4538404374/

There were so many police milling about--including several in tactical gear--that it gave the impression they were investigating an imminent threat of attack, a la the Moscow subway bombing a few days earlier.

One of my compatriots in clean up spent some time inside the communications truck. The cops were watching a ball game and eating pizza.

Keep having fun, Kevin. The NYPD is just following orders... Just shows us how paranoid those who are in power are about people organizing outside of their channels--even for entertainment. Ad hoc communities scare thd hell outta them. So let the feathers fly! :-)

NYPD Intelligence -- even more of an oxymoron than military intelligence.

Go Kevin!

Thanks for posting this, Jen.

The police harassing my family and questioning my roommates (not mentioned in the article) has definitely gotten over the top.

I would like to add that I have spoken to some cool detectives at Intel, and the article points out that some officers think that policing a pillow fight is absurd.

The police asking me to get permits is not genuine because I have applied and been denied in the past, so instead we just make the best effort we can to clean up. This year we distributed 1000 pillows to homeless shelters, animal shelters, battered women's centers and the State of New York.

I believe in keeping people safe, but I don't support the NYPD being used as the Fun Police.

Dude, you're on the no-fly list for sure.

Good to HAU (the NYPD's Hypo-Allergenic Unit) is on the scene. Next up, HAU Sleepy's.

to = that

duh

inb4 hipster hate-on.

If you've ever been to the Union Square pillow fight you'll know it's a huge range of ages, demographics, parents with kids etc. Not a bunch of hipsters.

Real hipsters are "too cool" for honest-to-goodness, un-ironic fun in public.

Good thing the mayor just promised no police layoffs. Who would they cut w/ such important work to be done?

Just cuz the guy on Law & Order who threw the pillow fight was a criminal maniac doesn't mean Kevin is.