Here's a novel idea: Instead of a summons, how about the police calmly but firmly explain the law to them and ask them to leave? If they won't leave, THEN issue them a summons.
Somehow I think thats probably what happened. My guess is the plaintiff in question made a scene, "What? I'm just playing chess." and then a summons was written.
Then, I don't think its a coincidence that this is on the news. He probably kept complaining and got picked up by local news.
The police in NYC have illegal quotas on summonses and tickets. They were a sort of quasi-secret until very recently. Perhaps these cops needed to meet theirs?
