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Cops Kill Deadly Swarm Of Yellow Jackets At Upper West Side Playground
By
Ben Yakas
Published Aug 16, 2014
Modified Aug 18, 2014
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Aug 16, 2014
Modified Aug 18, 2014
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Police were called to the Upper West Side on Friday to deal with a deadly swarm of European yellow jackets. The swarm was spotted hidden behind some ivy next to a fence at the Sol Bloom Playground on West 92nd Street near Columbus Avenue. "They started spraying all over. Once they sprayed, a bunch of bees started coming out [of the bushes]," said Marisol Ortiz told DNAInfo. "It was crazy. I just saw dots of yellow. It was scary."
According to witnesses, well over a dozen wasps were killed, although the NYPD downplayed it, telling the Post only "10 were exterminated." This was the first major swarm the NYPD has had to deal with since longtime NYPD beekeeper Detective Anthony Planakis filed for retirement.
In the past, Planakis would carefully relocate the hives, but cops used a pesticide spray purchased from Duane Reade to exterminate them yesterday. However, Planakis told us the NYPD handled the insects just right: "[I] immediately sent out texts to let everyone know, I would've done the same," he said. "These insects can be dangerous to someone who is allergic. More so than a honeybee sting, they have the ability to continuously sting. And numerous members of the nest will join in in the aggressive/protective act. When they sting, an alert pheromone is released in the venom alerting other members to a possible threat and to sting. Pretty nasty!!!! Can kill!!!"
As for how he's enjoying retirement, Planakis added: "Bored!!!"
Tagged
bees
manhattan
nypd
police
Upper West Side
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yellow jackets
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Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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