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Two Cops Sent To Hospital After McCarren Park Pool Melee
By
John Del Signore
Published Jul 3, 2012
Modified Jul 3, 2012
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Evan Rose/Gothamist
By
John Del Signore
Published Jul 3, 2012
Modified Jul 3, 2012
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Yesterday's pandemonium at McCarren Park Pool resulted in two officers being sent to Bellevue with minor injuries. Police were called to intervene at the pool around 5:15 p.m. after a group of rowdy bathers began doing backflips and diving into the pool, and lifeguards were unable to control them. When cops tried to eject the swimmers, they retaliated, and one officer was punched in the face. The NYPD tells us a second officer sustained a wrist injury during the skirmish—both were treated and released.
"He punched him squarely in the face," an officer at the scene told A Walk in the Park. "He really let loose. He's gonna be sore." Sources also tell Geoffrey Croft that some of the people involved in the melee may be members of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang.
One witness told us yesterday that "all hell broke loose. I heard a giant roar, and all of a sudden a bunch of kids were running and doing backflips into the pool." Three people were arrested according to the NYPD: Rodolfo Torres, 20, Carlos Carmago, 17, and Jose Carmago 18. We're told all three were charged with assault on an officer, disorderly conduct, and inciting to riot.
Michael Dockett, Assistant Commissioner of Urban Park Service, issued a statement saying, "Today at McCarren Pool, three youths were arrested after ignoring orders from lifeguards and security to stop running and diving into water less than five feet deep, and several others were escorted out by police officers. The pool remained open. Every day since opening, the pool has operated at full, 1500-person capacity throughout the day. Parks Enforcement Patrol is present at all large City pools, and visitors who repeatedly violate the rules lose their right to use them."
On Friday, a lifeguard was assaulted during another brawl at the pool, which just opened Thursday with great fanfare. The fun starts again today at 11 a.m., be sure to line up early!
Tagged
brooklyn
greenpoint
McCarren Park Pool
ms13
parks
swimming
williamsburg
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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