New York began enforcing virus mitigation measures in its parks over the weekend, as officials sought to implement a safe return to public life.
In Domino Park, officers and park workers were present to ask people to put on a mask. If they didn’t have one, they were offered a free mask.
Domino Park by the Williamsburg Bridge and Hudson River Park in Manhattan are the two parks where Mayor Bill de Blasio said the NYPD would be monitoring, according to Spectrum News. They were tasked with limiting the number of people who enter the park to prevent overcrowding.
The city has also doubled the number of civilian monitors, also known as social distancing ambassadors.
"We’ve put together a group of 1,000 non-NYPD personnel who’ve been going out already. We’re going to increase that number to 2,300 by next weekend," De Blasio said.
The approach has received a mixed reaction, with some saying it helps, while others say it would be more effective if implemented by police officers.
“My personal opinion is if it’s a cop, I’d take it more seriously," said one Crown Heights resident.
