Every active NYPD cop used to get 30 Patrolmen’s Benevolent
Association “courtesy cards” from their union per year; now they’ll only
get 20 (retired cops used to get 20 and now they’ll get 10).
These cards are known as “get out of jail free” cards, a kind of challenge coin
that establishes the bearer’s bona fides as a friend of the force;
flash the card and cops will give you the benefit of the doubt, tear up
your ticket, or otherwise give you the kid-glove treatment.
The cards were selling on eBay for $200 each when the union announced
the cut, allegedly in a bid to curb the practice (and seemingly in
defiance of the principle of supply and demand).
