Committee presses staff for answers after police contingent withdrawn from Washington Square Park; schedules hearing on off-leash dog hours

Community Board 2 members said they were awaiting clarity after a post-holiday withdrawal of a roughly 60-person police contingent from Washington Square Park and agreed to press parks staff for an official statement on future assignments.

"That contingent of police officers was stopped," Chair Rich Cacopolo said, adding that the committee was trying to find out whether a new assignment would be made and when. Members said they were waiting for mayoral or police-chief direction and asked staff to follow up with the precinct for an official answer.

During public comment, a resident described repeated problems and what they called aggressive enforcement by roaming rangers who have ticketed or confronted morning dog walkers; the speaker said rangers sometimes 'chase people down and put hands on it.' The committee discussed existing off-leash policy (Central Park's rules are an exception due to park size) and reported fine ranges discussed in the meeting of about $100 to $400 depending on the statute cited.

Members asked parks staff to produce enforcement records and statute references and agreed to hold a community hearing (the chair suggested March) so neighbors on both sides of the issue can be heard before any policy change is recommended. Parks staff said they would return with details on how off-leash hours are established and the parameters used for permitting exceptions in large parks.