(New York, New York) – The head of the Sergeants Benevolent Association is demanding accountability after NYPD officers were pelted with snowballs while responding to a 911 call in Washington Square Park — warning that what some may dismiss as winter “antics” could escalate into something far more dangerous.
In a sharply worded statement, SBA President Vincent J. Vallelong condemned what he described as a “disgraceful and dangerous attack” on uniformed officers performing their lawful duties.
“We cannot condemn strongly enough the recent disgraceful and dangerous attacks on NYPD Police Officers,” Vallelong wrote to fellow sergeants.
“This Constitutes an Assault”
According to Vallelong, individuals in the park — many believed to be NYU students — deliberately targeted officers by throwing snowballs as they worked in a crowded public space.
“While some people may attempt to dismiss this incident as college hijinks or harmless kids throwing snowballs, the deliberate targeting of uniformed Police Officers by hurling objects at them while they perform their lawful duties constitutes an assault,” he stated.
Vallelong emphasized that officers routinely show “extraordinary restraint” even in hostile situations and warned that normalizing such behavior sends the wrong message.
“When individuals choose to turn a park into a launching ground for attacks on police, they cross a clear line,” he said. “Today it is snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles, or worse.”
Questions for City Leaders
Beyond condemning the incident itself, the SBA president took aim at what he called a troubling silence from city leadership.
“Perhaps a bigger question is why the mayor and other elected officials were so silent after this incident occurred?” Vallelong asked.
He specifically called out Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and NYU officials, questioning why there had been no immediate public statements addressing the incident.
Call for Consequences
Vallelong urged prosecutors and the courts to treat the case seriously, arguing that failing to do so would embolden further disorder.
“No worker in this city should be subjected to having objects thrown at them while they do their job — least of all the men and women who run toward danger to protect others,” he wrote.
“Those who assault Police Officers in any way must face appropriate consequences. Failing to do so sends the message that attacking an officer is acceptable behavior. It is not!”
The SBA said its members will continue to serve the city, but insisted they deserve “the full support of city officials and the public” when confronted with what the union describes as brazen attacks.
