That is only because there are so many friggin people in New York City. So obviously there will be some good eggs in the crowd. Most people in New York City these days wouldn't even go so far as to inform a driver that his lights are off (at night of course). I observe this all day long riding my bike around the city: swarms of people walking by a car at a crosswalk with its lights off with no one saying anything.
And if someone can't even do that simple little thing, particularly considering how potentially dangerous that situation can be in a hugely overcrowded city like NY, with so many mindless types crossing busy streets while texting, or otherwise not paying attention, how on earth can we expect they (most here) would lift a finger when it comes to something more serious. In short, "New York Values", these days particularly, suck.
Just came across your post and had to laugh: NY values defined by not telling folks their car lights are not on. Oh, the humanity!
I hope you don’t ride on the sidewalks. That’s not a NY value.