Police blocked off one pier while others were teeming with onlookers
But for some, snagging a front row seat to the spectacle is just a matter of knowing a police officer.
On Monday night, the NYPD held private parties for officers and their guests at multiple locations along the waterfront in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. Even as public spectators were turned away from popular viewing sites due to a lack of space, the police-only areas remained off limits to those unaffiliated with law enforcement.
John Miller, a department spokesperson, defended the “informal practice,” which he said was meant to accommodate police family members “who are regularly called upon to make sacrifices for the city when their spouses miss major holidays because they are working.”
But some firework fans and public officials were less forgiving, accusing the department of treating premium park space as a perk of the job.
“It’s totally unacceptable,” said Councilmember Lincoln Restler, who represents the part of Williamsburg that includes Domino Park, where one of the private events took place. “The fireworks are for the people, it’s an abuse of power that should be investigated.”
At Long Island City’s Gantry Plaza State Park, onlookers said they were forced to compete for space on overcrowded piers. But one pier, directly in front of the Hunters Point Public Library, sat empty, save for a few dozen families sprawled out on picnic blankets, protected by a ring of NYPD officers, according to multiple people who spoke to Gothamist
The NYPD swore in an experienced TV journalist – and chef – as its new top spokesman Monday, police officials said.
Emmy-award-winning news anchor journalist Julian Phillips took over as the NYPD’s new deputy commissioner of public information
Phillips, a Purdue University graduate, has a history with television news in the city and did stints at Fox News, WNBC and WPIX, according to his LinkedIn page. He is a self-described celebrity chef with The Sound Bite Restaurant, too, as well as a media consultant and motivational speaker.
Phillips also was hailed as making “the Best Wings in New York State” in 2018 by Insider Food.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a statement, “Julian’s historical knowledge of New York City and the region, coupled with his intellectual integrity and excellence as a communicator, will be incredible assets
Phillips also was hailed as making “the Best Wings in New York State” in 2018 by Insider Food.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a statement, “Julian’s historical knowledge of New York City and the region, coupled with his intellectual integrity and excellence as a communicator, will be incredible assets
I did not know of this practice. When our children were small, my father and his second wife (my mother died when I was nineteen), lived in Waterside Plaza. Each Independence Day Barbara would invite us to see the fireworks up front from their living room window with food included. Our children are now in their forties and never forget these events.
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