Quality of life police units in NYC have been deployed since Giuliani. Street vendors, squeegee people and other nuisance public solicitations have been the target.
In this case it was the local merchants who play by the rules who have been hassled by street vendors such as Garner. They are the ones who have been complaining and calling the police.
We can all complain about The Tax Authorities. But I think most conservatives would complain about both politicians who pass high taxes and low level nuisance street thugs.
Sure they want the thugs controlled. Controlled not killed.