LOOKING FOR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN TIMES SQUARE: Looks like an argument for “local knowledge.” From the comments:

It’s a city. It’s THE city. Stuff happens all the time. Generally speaking, 90% of any con is looking like you know what you’re doing.

That said, people who are on that block all day every day probably know it better than you: That includes the common habits of tourists, what delivery guys come and go – and for whom, the types of garment district lackeys / theatre district lackeys / midtown office lackeys that are seen, etc.

It’s still the case, a la Jane Jacobs, that the street vendors, doormen and other such curb mayors own the street.

Which is why networks of security cams are a waste.