And further, using the excuse "it would cost more to refund than was collected" as the reason to not make right with the people wronged. How much is ticket in NYC? I'm betting it stings, and like here in Philadelphia, the cost of contesting a ticket (in lost wages, navigating a system very much meant to discourage you from contesting a ticket), especially for blue-collar workers, is less affordable than paying the ticket.

This is the NYPD - the most police-state police force in the country, responsible for such hits as Stop-And-Frisk, Eric Garner, and many other human rights abuses.[0]

You think they'd be so lenient with you if you offered them an apology?

Quick reminder about the title of the article - "The NYPD Was Systematically Ticketing Legally Parked Cars for Millions of Dollars a Year." Systematically.

[0] http://gothamist.com/2012/07/25/report_nypd_handling_of_occu...

Do people think it's ok, or are we just at a point where "at least the theft stopped" is pretty much the most we expect?

I can absolutely believe that this happened by accident (it is a pretty subtle rule change), but that doesn't justify pocketing all of the cash it produced.

What's the statute of limitations for such things in NY?

The very point of the statute of limitations is to limit how much of the present is spent digging up the past.

Hearings are not granted for tickets issued over 1 year ago.[0]

The owner must submit a Request for Hearing after Judgment form to fight the ticket. If the request for hearing after judgment is granted, the judge will hear the defense to the parking ticket. If the request is not granted, no hearing will be held and the total fine, interest, and penalties will be due.

[0]: http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/1652/fight-a-parki...