New York law enforcement leaders are calling for arrests and charges after videos went viral showing people pelting officers with snowballs.
Footage shows people who had met up in Washington Square Park, in Greenwich Village, for a planned snowball fight hurling snowballs at uniformed New York Police Department (NYPD) officers while laughing and jeering.
The Detectives' Endowment Association (DEA), the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York and NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch have all condemned the scenes and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
Why It Matters
The incident drew swift condemnation from the NYPD and police unions, who called the behavior criminal and demanded arrests.
What To Know
Police were called to Washington Square Park shortly after 4 p.m. Monday following a 911 call about a disorderly group at a large, preplanned snowball fight promoted online, according to the New York Post.
Videos showed officers being struck by snowballs as crowds packed the park and shouted insults. In one clip, some police officers can be seen retreating to a police vehicle which people continued to target with snowballs.
DEA President Scott Munro said there had been a "deliberate, outrageous, and dangerous attack on uniformed police officers" and called on New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to prosecute those responsible.
"Our men and women in blue deserve to be safe. They deserve to be protected. And they deserve to be respected," he said in a post on X.
NYPD commissioner Tisch said the behavior was "criminal and disgraceful" and confirmed that detectives are investigating.
The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, a union that represents 50,000 active and retired officers, said it was "unacceptable and outrageous" and said the "individuals involved must be identified, arrested and charged with assault on a police officer."
"All of our city leaders must speak up to condemn this despicable attack," it added.
Newsweek has contacted Mamdani’s office, via email, for comment.
What People Are Saying
DEA President Scott Munro said in a post on X: "What we saw in Washington Square Park today was not harmless fun—it was a deliberate, outrageous, and dangerous attack on uniformed police officers. The Detectives’ Endowment Association is calling on Mayor Mamdani and District Attorney Bragg to ensure every individual responsible for this illegal behavior is prosecuted. No free pass. No get out of jail free card.
"Make no mistake: detectives will do what they always do. They will identify those involved and they will apprehend them. Our men and women in blue deserve to be safe. They deserve to be protected. And they deserve to be respected. They earn it every single day."
The NYPD is aware of certain videos taken earlier today in Washington Square Park showing individuals attacking police officers.
NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a post on X: "The NYPD is aware of certain videos taken earlier today in Washington Square Park showing individuals attacking police officers. I want to be very clear: The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal. Our detectives are investigating this matter."
Republican New York Representative Nicole Malliotakis said in a post on X: "This is disgraceful. @NYCMayor and every elected official in our city should denounce this juvenile attack on our #NYPD. Back the blue and hold those who disrespect them accountable."
The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York said in a post on X: "Unacceptable and outrageous—this is the environment that NYC police officers are up against. Our police officers are being treated for their injuries, but the case CANNOT end there. The individuals involved must be identified, arrested and charged with assault on a police officer. And all of our city leaders must speak up to condemn this despicable attack."
What Happens Next
Detectives will review videos and attempt to identify individuals seen throwing snowballs at officers, and police unions will continue pressing prosecutors to pursue charges.
Authorities will likely assess whether arrests or charges are warranted as evidence is gathered.
