Huge spring break crowds cause chaos in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Neighbors of Brooklyn Bridge Park are demanding that the park do something to manage the large, unruly crowds of young people who gather there during warm weather.

Thursday evening, April 13, was especially chaotic, with up to a thousand high school-aged kids on spring break overwhelming the ability of Park Enforce Patrol (PEP) to handle the situation. 

According to witnesses and videos posted to social media, fights broke out, at least one assault took place and hundreds of youth stampeded around Pier 2, which is the site of basketball, handball and other fitness equipment.

“BBP was active if u know u know,” wrote one boy under a video he posted showing a large crowd running around Pier 2.

“Tonight was a terrifying night in the Brooklyn Bridge Park,” Brooklyn Heights resident Jennifer (who does not want her last name used) wrote in an email on Thursday to local community organizations and officials. “I went down around 6:30 p.m. and saw thousands of young people. Within a few minutes I saw about 400 stampeding from the roller rink to the basketball courts as if they were running for their lives.”

Jennifer, a school psychologist, said she saw just one NYPD squad car in the park, which “couldn’t possibly do anything against a mob of that size.” She said a police van arrived, “but quickly departed. Another stampede broke out with one young man chased by at least 100 people. He looked like he was running for his life. I went up to the [Brooklyn Heights] Promenade to stay safe.”

Sources told the Brooklyn Eagle that PEP had called NYPD after seeing the large crowd gathering, and the 84th Precinct’s NCO officers and unit were immediately dispatched to the park. Eight 84th Precinct police officers were held on overtime on Thursday night, the source said. More officers were stationed in the park Friday…