Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Dominican Parade After Party Caused Mayhem Uptown, Locals Say

By Farran Powell | August 14, 2012 10:34am

UPPER MANHATTAN - Rowdy Dominican Day revelers took the party uptown after the 30th Annual Dominican Day Parade, crowding streets and wreaking havoc near Dyckman Street, community leaders and residents said. 

The overflow in neighborhood restaurants and bars sent hundreds of people onto Dyckman Street up to West 207th Street, snarling traffic and keeping many residents awake until the early hours of Monday morning.

"Too many people were around after 12 a.m." said Julia Pena, 37, a waitress at a nearby Inwood restaurant who said she observed the large crowds on the street.

Residents of the predominately Dominican neighborhood say large crowds assembled into a block party despite a heavy police presence, and the number of people was much larger than previous years.

"Cops assigned to Broadway and Dyckman... admitted this was insane but allowed [participants] to celebrate post parade," Jennifer Bristol wrote on Facebook Sunday.

Police did not respond to a request for comment.

Loud noise and music that streamed from parked cars upset many residents who called the scene "insane."

"Anarchy into the early morning hours and the neighborhood was more densely packed with revelers than I've ever seen," wrote Christina D'Angelo on Facebook about the scene that even party-goers called "insane."

"It was mayhem," she said.

Cars parked along Broadway near the controversial strip on Dyckman elected officials have coined "Alcohol Alley" blasted music until 2 a.m., locals said.

"My building was shaking and I had to put pillows on top of my head," said Lindsey Jensen, 27, who moved from a sublet apartment on Broadway and Thayer Street from Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Don't they have city noise ordinances here?"

City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, who represents the eastern portion of Inwood and Washington Heights, acknowledged the Dyckman area needs a long-term resolution for noise reduction.

"I understand and personally empathize with the residents of Dyckman Street and the surrounding area," he said. "I will work the NYPD to ensure that noise complaints are taken very seriously."

Councilman Robert Jackson, who represents the western portion of the Inwood and Washington Heights district, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Upper Manhattan was not the only neighborhood to experience an out-of-hand party scene after the parade. One block party on South Fourth Street in Williamsburg  spiraled into a brawl Sunday night that resulted in two injuries and nine arrests.

Despite the complaints, not all uptown residents complained about the party scene.

"I don't mind the noise," said Jay Hannas, who moved to Inwood three months ago from Brooklyn.

"Everyone at the parade makes noise. I'm Puerto Rican and we do the same thing too."