Washington Square Park SOS Instagram Keeps Tabs on Police and Predators – WESTVIEW NEWS

THE POLICE MAKING THEIR ROUNDS at Washington Square Park. Photo credit: The owner of the @washingtonsquareparksos account. By Sophia Astor For most people who use Instagram, the perfect place to take selfies or post photos of the city’s golden youth sporting alternative fashions is in front of the iconic landmarks in Washington Square Park. For the owner of the @washingtonsquareparksos Instagram account, it’s a tool for monitoring police activity and to warn artists and vendors of impending crackdowns. @washingtonsquareparksos, which posts videos of arrests and scuffles with police, has gained over 500 followers and has been shared with hundreds more since its first post in January. It has also earned the account’s owner more than a few enemies. She declined to be identified because of the constant harassment and death threats she says she receives from strangers. “People are getting surrounded and intimidated by big groups of cops over Bluetooth speakers, over trying to sell clothes,” @washingtonsquareparksos explained. “I post to look out for the park community and to show them that they can have a voice, they can fight this attack on their livelihood.” Police presence in Washington Square Park has ramped up since Mayor Eric Adams took office…
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