Yet another NYC raid

onoble · #1 09-05-2007, 08:49 PM

Seems they're really out to shut it down.

West side place, surrounded by cops.

Looks like no one got arrested, they came in and told everyone to leave.

If its anything like last Wednesday, I'd avoid the rooms tonight.

I really think we should all to talk to our law makers and try to end this stuff. Its ridiculous that a game broadcasted on ESPN in prime time, not to mention NBC and other networks is illegal! The cops need to spend their time on real crime, not card games.

Be safe.

*TT* · #2 09-05-2007, 09:18 PM

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Looks like no one got arrested, they came in and told everyone to leave.

[/ QUOTE ]

There were arrests.

Hipsdontlie69 · #3 09-05-2007, 09:20 PM

that was not a raid, those are players dressed as police officers from their gig

BrianBigNFun · #4 09-05-2007, 09:21 PM

Is it an election year in NYC?

Im sure the asian massage parlors and other thinly veiled places of prostitution are also getting busted.

JACKPOT321 · #5 09-06-2007, 02:04 AM

I was there when it happened. They were def cops and knew the drill. Most got out, a few were held. All players were told to leave their chips on the table and then they were escorted out, no ID checks, just told to leave. The place was padlocked. It does seem hard to imagine it re-opening though (i hope they do as I still have my tournament seat in my pocket and left 300 on the table). I was on the east side and they also got hit with the west side last wednesday. crackdown?

*TT* · #6 09-06-2007, 02:25 AM

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Is it an election year in NYC?

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no

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Im sure the asian massage parlors and other thinly veiled places of prostitution are also getting busted.

[/ QUOTE ]
no

The police don't need a reason when something is illegal.

BrianBigNFun · #7 09-06-2007, 07:30 AM

well if the 1st question is a no, then my 2nd point is moot. I was just saying that the morality crimes tend to be enforced at a higher rate during election years.

FireStorm · #8 09-06-2007, 10:03 AM

These get enforced regardless. The whole politics argument is starting to get a little old, rehearsed, and boring. Police bust places like these because it's their job to do so. I've said this before, poker players seem to think that their places shouldn't get busted for the simple fact that to them, poker activities are moral and therefore shouldn't be a crime. Newsflash - this is the same line of thinking about 90% of criminals employ. Clubs are illegal by nature and thus subject to prosecution, regardless of how many "woe is me, AC is so far away" complaints get uttered.

This is coming from someone who was actually on the B+M side of the fence for awhile, having been charged myself in connection with a busted club, and having dealt/played nightly at two others which I left prior to police showing up and suggesting that they close.

Prevalence of rooms overall is decreasing by the day, for many reasons unrelated to busts. Within a couple of years I'd imagine few if any will be left. For now, the raids continue.

onoble · #9 09-06-2007, 12:59 PM

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poker players seem to think that their places shouldn't get busted for the simple fact that to them, poker activities are moral and therefore shouldn't be a crime. Newsflash - this is the same line of thinking about 90% of criminals employ.

[/ QUOTE ]

No. Something that has no victims to me is not a crime. I know clubs are illegal but there is only so much police power in the city. The police have to be delegated to certain geographic locations and can only cover so much ground in a night. Why bust up a card game when there is more serious crime occurring?

FireStorm · #10 09-06-2007, 01:08 PM

Exactly what I'm talking about. This is the same disjointed logic used by drug addicts, tax evaders, guys who crack up g/f's who cheat on them, and whomever else feels that "their" crime is the one that is victimless. Please know that I am not equating any of the above to poker, clearly these are more serious infractions. However, the law is the law, and it says you cannot have a poker room for the purpose of profit. Owners know the laws when they open these venues, and they know the risks/penalties involved. Open one, live with the consequences.

The commentary on not busting it up because more serious stuff is going on is absurd. Police don't have the right to simply ignore crimes as they please. Many of these clubs are flaunting their existence - emails, business cards, cars parked suspiciously at all hours of the night, etc etc. Police do not exist for the purpose of going out and deciding that XYZ crime isn't serious, so they will ignore it. Do you suggest that they simply let it go on? Doesn't speak much for their credibility, does it?