A gathering in Washington Square Park on Monday following a major blizzard turned contentious as crowds engaged in a snowball fight that included targeting NYPD officers.
Snowball Fight Turns Confrontational
The snowball fight, organized through a social media page, drew participants from across Fresh York City to the Manhattan park. Video footage appears to show individuals deliberately throwing snowballs at officers, resulting in some sustaining facial cuts.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that detectives are investigating the videos, characterizing the depicted behavior as “disgraceful” and “criminal.” The NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association described the incident as “unacceptable and outrageous.”
The incident occurred after a record-breaking blizzard – the first to impact the New York City area in a decade – brought the Northeast to a standstill. Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani addressed the situation via Twitter, stating, “Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect. If anyone’s catching a snowball, it’s me.”
Snowfall totals varied across the tri-state area. Islip, New York, in Suffolk County, received the highest amount with 31 inches. Other Long Island towns, including East Islip, Patchogue, Holbrook, and Babylon, reported between 29 and 30 inches. Parts of Staten Island also experienced over two feet of snow.
In New Jersey, Lyndhurst and Carlstadt, both in Bergen County, recorded 30.7 and 30.2 inches of snow, respectively. Leonia and Bogota received 29.7 and 29.5 inches, whereas Newark Airport reported 27.2 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Washington Square Park?
A snowball fight organized via social media took place in Washington Square Park, and video footage appears to show participants deliberately throwing snowballs at NYPD officers.
How did officials respond to the incident?
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the behavior “disgraceful” and “criminal,” and the NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association deemed it “unacceptable and outrageous.” Mayor Mamdani also addressed the situation on Twitter.
How much snow fell during the blizzard?
Central Park recorded 19.7 inches of snow, making it the ninth-biggest snowfall in recorded history. Islip, New York, received the highest total in the tri-state area with 31 inches.
As investigations continue, it remains to be seen what consequences, if any, participants in the snowball fight may face.
