Overwhelmed! Washington Square Park residents have proposed an early curfew

Officials from the New York City Police Department and the Parks Authority held an emergency meeting wednesday to address the recent unrest in Washington Square Park.

Residents of Greenwich Village are reluctant to attend large, noisy late-night parties, DJ, skateboarding, drug trafficking and sometimes violence, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic, NY1 reported.

One resident said: "I have lived in Greenwich Village for 21 years, including 18 years in Washington Square, but unfortunately it is too close to the park and my family and our children have witnessed all sorts of things occupying our streets, from under-epidemic behavior to drugs." ”

The NYPD and parks department increased patrols. They then tried to impose a curfew at 10 p.m., but without success. One of the attempts resulted in 22 arrests and injuries to police.

A day later, out of concern for the safety of officers, the police decided not to enforce it. Now, the park has resumed midnight closures.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Stephen Hughes asked the crowd if they preferred the 10 p.m. curfew or the 12 p.m. curfew. The vast majority opted for an earlier curfew.

Hughes said: "I need your support, I received your attitude about the curfew. I'll come up with a plan. He added: "My officers are in danger because there are people in the park who don't want to leave the park at 12 o'clock."

(Compiled: sw)