Patrol Officers Clash with Vendors at Flushing Meadow Park
A violent confrontation Sunday afternoon between a 27-year-old woman and three Park Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers at Flushing Meadows Corona Park got the attention of local communities living in Flushing and Jackson Heights, when the video of the confrontation went viral on social media.
The incident took place on the northwest corner of 111th Street and 55th Avenue where an altercation between an illegal food vendor and park police at Flushing Meadows turned violent Sunday afternoon.
Maria Alvear was selling food on barbecue grill when she was confronted by three Park Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers. Alvear’s daughter Melissa began yelling, and the confrontation between the daughter and park enforcement officer turned physical.
Alvear’s daughter Melissa was arrested on the spot after experiencing police brutality that left her with lot of bruises, noted a bystander. Melissa was arrested on charges of obstruction of governmental administration, two assault charges and one charge of harassment, according to the police report.
Flushing Meadow Park spokesperson Meghan Lalor said Alvear had been “lawfully arrested after assaulting a Parks Enforcement Patrol officer and obstructing him from confiscating an illegal food cart.”
The whole incident was caught on video and posted on YouTube by a bystander. The video of the violent arrest went viral on social media and drew 8,036 views on YouTube. The video shows three officers confronting and forcing Alvear to the ground while attempting to handcuff her, while Alvear’s seven year-old son struggled to defend her.
“We’re calling for the firing of these three PEP officers for the way they treated that woman,” Tania Mattos Jose of Queens Neighborhoods United Organization said. “There is already great fear in the community because of President Trump’s crackdown on immigrants. We already fear the ICE agents and now we have to fear the park police, too?”
Flushing Corona Meadow Parks Police lately have hiked their “enforcement” through ticketing, according to NYC Park Police Department, which has advocates say threatens the economic stability of vendors and their loved ones.
Friends of Alvear say she has received multiple tickets selling food on stand, and that debt, combined with the death of her husband, had led to a stressful situation.
A Queens Neighborhoods United spokesperson said that the organization is trying to reach out to the community in Jackson Heights to raise $500 so she can pay for the arrangements to send the ashes of her ex-husband to his native land, Ecuador.
The organization is raising funds through a popular fundraising website — GoFundMe.com. Till date, seven people have contributed in small sum amounting to $255.
Tani Jose said her organization is planning to protest and perhaps trying a lawsuit against the city on behalf of Alvear.
After huge uproar about the incident on social media and in communities, State Senator Jose Peralta jumped in to give a diplomatic statement. “Park enforcement officers should treat everyone respectfully, but according to the images in this video, this seems not to be the case,” Peralta said. “I am told this particular woman was coming to the aid of her mother, a street vendor who apparently didn’t have the proper permits, but that is no reason for the authorities not to treat this particular New Yorker with the courtesy she deserves.”
Flushing Meadow spokesperson Meghan Lalor said that they are standing by their officers. “Illegal vending is a chronic issue in Flushing Meadow Corona Park,” she said “Our Parks Enforcement Patrol’s first course of action is to educate in order to bring violators into compliance. However, there are instances when it is necessary to place violators, and those found obstructing the lawful actions of our officers, under arrest.”
Update: A Queens Neighborhoods United has successfully raised $500 for the vendor
