I lived in northern NJ and flew out of Essex County Airport. Flight following is not required when VFR applies. I always maintained 100 AGL when in that area around the major airports in NY and never ran into a conflict with the NY controllers.
Seems like you have some local knowledge then...the tape I saw last night cleary showed the Piper flying right into the helo from behind...definetely a rule breaker under VFR, unless the helo had made a last second move one way or the other...if they are not being followed, why is a controller(s) being considered for some degree of blame? I don't get it. Myself, ASEL with about 500, but that 500th was back in the 70s. Been so long, I don't know if ASEL is still a valid abbreviation.
TETERBORO, NJ TETERBORO (TEB) AMDT 5 08325 (FAA) TAKE-OFF MINIMUMS: Rwy 1, 400-2¼ or std. w/ min. climb of 294' per NM to 500. Rwy 6, 300-1½ or std. w/ min. climb of 263' per NM to 400. Rwy 19, 600-2¼ or std. w/ min. climb of 352' per NM to 700. DEPARTURE PROCEDURE: Rwys 1,6, climb to 900 via heading 040° before proceeding on course. Rwy 19, climb to 900 then climbing right turn to 2000 via BWZ R-104 before proceeding on course. Rwy 24, climb to 1100 before proceeding on course. NOTE: Rwy 1, multiple vents
Now if the controller(s)did not monitor the Piper's departure, to see if these procedures were being followed...and being on the phone....uh oh....