[DiabloD3]

But there is nothing in the story stating NYC is returning the effectively stolen, as per their admission to wrongdoing, money.

[morganvachon]

It's not stolen, that implies an intent to do wrong. Per the NYPD's response (and given their candor, I find no reason to believe otherwise) it's clear this was a training issue and the officers writing the tickets were doing their duty to the best of their knowledge at the time.

And having said that, yes I believe the money should be returned, and probably will.