A suspected work slowdown by New York City police at the start of the year has cost the city an estimated $5 million in lost fines.

The New York Times, citing figures provided by the city comptroller’s office, reports that the biggest loss came from unwritten parking tickets. It amounted to about $3 million.

Police statistics show that in the last three weeks police issued about 44,000 fewer parking tickets than during the same period last year.

Additional revenue was lost from speeding tickets, other moving violations and petty crimes.

The NYPD said this week that enforcement was returning to normal.

The apparent slowdown was seen as evidence of growing rancor between police officers and City Hall in the aftermath of the slayings of two patrolmen last month.

(AP)