The cops-as-revenuers thing gets even worse when you start to look at the abuses of the various seizure laws that allow cops to stop you on a highway, rob you of your cash, and then deny you the ability to appeal their actions.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-texas-profiling_wittmar10-story.html#page=1
Yup. I don't have any problem with police in NY not acting as revenue generators for the city (any city) . I suspect though, that they are also similarly slacking off on more productive things as well.If not, then perhaps they'll have time to deal with crimes more important than someone selling loose cigarettes.