It is really hard to ride in NYC without running red lights. In many ways I feel safer doing that, than waiting among the other vehicles. And the police know this; I've had traffic cops wave me through red lights that they weren't waving cars through (why? I dunno!) and I've followed NYPD bike cops through red lights (they run them too). I have yet to buy a ticket, but I've only been doing this six years or so, so I suppose it's just a matter of time.
The existing traffic laws seem poorly suited to the reality of bicycling in the city, and (perhaps as a result of this?) police generally turn a blind eye to all cyclist infractions. This, I think, is unfortunate. They should decide what is and what is not acceptable, and crack down on the cyclists who cross the line.
If you've been running lights (carefully) for six years and haven't been ticketed, I'm guessing this guy was much worse about it to get three tickets.
I will sometimes run a red (not normally though), and if I get a ticket, it'll stop that behavior. I won't come crying to the internet when I've racked up three of 'em.