Former Jay-Z bodyguard killed by cops. Hip hop still far less dangerous than the NYPD.

A mother and son called 911 when their "raging Russian blue," Carmen, held them captive in their Midtown apartment. The victims show signs of Stockholm Syndrome: "I just don't want people to think she's a bad cat," said one. [NYP]

Rev. Al Shapton's made a name off of agitating authority; he's been arrested plenty of times during protests! Guess it runs in the family. His ex-wife and daughter were booked after road raging at a cop last night.

Yesterday was the National Day of Action Against Police Brutality! One lady's "Action" was "to kick." She got some Police Brutality.

If the city really wants to crack down on people who chat on their cellphones while driving, why does it announce in advance when it plans to enforce the law? Who knows, but the "24-hour citywide effort" to stamp out the bad habit will continue up until midnight as the NYPD hands ten times as many tickets for the offense as usual (and the city collects an extra $1 million or so). But if your cab driver got pulled over today and you had to sit in the back seat for five minutes while a cop wrote him a ticket, you now know why you were inconvenienced. [NYT]

Those low-flying helicopters that have been hovering over Manhattan today? They could be connected to a movie shoot last week that involved helicopters. But they could also be up to something else. Either way, though, the NYPD would like you to know they they're totally cool with it and it's all above board, so don't freak out and call 911, 311 or whatever hotline you're technically supposed to call in cases of mysterious, low-flying helicopters. [NYT]

Puking pug owner Chrissie Brodigan declined a plea deal, so she can sue the city.

The cyclist who says he was dragged around Central Park by a Fox News writer, who won't face any charges in the incident, tells us neither cops or prosecutors tried very hard to investigate the incident.

A dead body was found yesterday on the roof above Opening Ceremony, an ultra-hip downtown fashion emporium/design space associated with Chloë Sevigny, Proenza Schouler, and other downtown types.

Possession of a small amount of weed in New York is only punishable by a ticket and a small fine. So why do cops bring so many people to NYC jails for the same violation? They use tricknology.

Twilight's Robert Pattinson works with fictional teenage vampires professionally. Little did he know the rabid, bloodsucking adolescent desperation he'd invite by taking the gig. NYPD sources now claim that the cops are looking to take over his overwhelmed security detail.

Why did NYPD Commissioner Kelly have to throw the heavy hammer of discipline down on his former partner today? Tragically, adorable Pugs and Chasids aren't involved. But: a massive lacking in organization and the potential endangerment of cops' lives are!

The New York Times conducts its own analysis and concludes that, in New York City at least, more rainy days means fewer homicides. However, given the ongoing depressing Year Without a Summer around these parts, there's no discussion of suicides.

New York's Finest: ticketed a van for a month before finding a corpse inside.

Just a few weeks ago, the city was supposedly experiencing an unprecedented crime wave. Apparently the NYPD turned things around in no time, since newly released FBI stats show that New York has the lowest crime rate of the 25 largest cities in the country. Of the 261 cities with more than 100,000 residents, New York ranked 246th; violent crime dropped four percent last year and murders were down 21.1 percent. So, you know, enjoy not getting murdered when you go out this evening. [NYP]

And in yet more shitty news from New York, a white cop shot a black cop dead. He was in plain clothes and had drawn his gun, but he was carrying his shield. It is "unclear if Edwards identified himself," which probably means he didn't have time to. [NYDN]

The Way We Live Now: Blingy. The new dynasty of the American auto (one day) is over! Nations and companies alike are falling. The barter system is returning. Grab the gold and run!

It turns out that plane that flew low over Manhattan this morning was just President Obama's back-up plane; it was on a mission so that Air Force photographers could take pictures of Lower Manhattan. Officials in Washington say they informed City Hall and the NYPD about the plan in advance, although the NYPD now says it was prohibited from alerting the public. So, as a result, everyone who saw the plane freaked out, several office buildings were evacuated, and nervous traders sent the stock market plunging for several minutes until they found out that it wasn't a terrorist attack. Sure hope the photos were worth it! [NYT/CityRoom]

The New York Civil Liberties Union is suing the NYPD on behalf of a Queens man who was kicked out of a Yankees game when he tried to go potty during "God Bless America."