Final answer:
In Albany, New York, it is typically illegal to engage in behaviors on the streets that disrupt public order or safety, such as during Prohibition when it was illegal to consume alcohol publicly. Stop and Frisk policies and the historical tolerance of vice in certain neighborhoods are reflective of enforcement practices impacting street activities. Current laws should be referenced for specific illegal acts.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Albany, New York, as in many other cities, there are laws and ordinances that govern behavior in public spaces to maintain order and public safety. While the specifics can vary and should be looked up in the current municipal code, historically, during the Prohibition era, it was illegal to transport or consume alcohol on the streets, which led to law enforcement actions such as pouring whiskey and other liquors into the sewers to enforce these laws.
An example of such enforcement during that time can be seen in Figure 5.1.3, where New York policemen watch as hundreds of gallons of whiskey are poured into the sewers. Additionally, the Stop and Frisk policing strategy, depicted in Figure 8-13, has been controversial and is considered by many as a form of racial profiling.
Although not an ordinance itself, it demonstrates the impact of law enforcement practices on street-level activities. Furthermore, historical accounts, like the chaos caused by a supposedly rabid dog, as retrieved from an anecdote involving policeman Benjamin Lazarus, illustrate the types of street disturbances that were addressed by law enforcement.
The relationship between vice activities such as prostitution and gambling and law enforcement is also notable. Vice was often an open secret in certain neighborhoods, and there was a pragmatic tolerance demonstrated by police in exchange for bribes, as described in the provided historical context.
Thus, it's important to note that what's illegal on the streets can vary widely depending on the time period, current laws and ordinances, and the enforcement practices of the day.