As the sixties came to an end, the park and the area surrounding the park became the worst it had ever been. Gangs controlled the park and the bordering blocks and drug deals could be seen on every corner. Due to loss of funding tenements were left to the waste side, so the population of homeless grew to extreme measures. In 1987, the homeless set up encampments in Tompkins Square Park to bring attention to the growing problem of the homeless in the area. The residents surrounding the park were conflicted as to what to do and what could be done. They were not necessarily concerned as to what they could do to help the homeless they just wanted them out of their park. Residents decided to consult the Manhattan community board, and the decision…show more content… The homeless refused to leave the park even after being told that it was closed. “The police charged a crowd of protesters, bystanders, activists, police officers, neighborhood residents, and journalists were caught up in the violence.” The actions portrayed by the police and the fear in the city caused Mayor Ed Koch to get temporarily rid of the curfew. The neighborhood, which was previously divided over how to deal with the park, was unanimous in its blame on the actions of the police. Although the residents wanted the homeless out of the park, they did not want more violence to the already violence-ridden area. Over 100 complaints of police brutality were filed following the riot. The riot was blamed on bad police handling, and the commander, and chief of the police department were relived of his duties for a…show more content… As far as the area is concerned, it has turned around, although there are still homeless people in the park, the curfew is still in place so one can claim they do not “live there” exactly. The newest case of the police controlling and monitoring the lower class of Tompkins Square Park is a police tower that was placed in the center of the park after Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton each made separate visits to the park. A man names Dominique Parrott has lived in the East Village since 2008, and inside the park since he became homeless in 2013. He stated that the, “increased police presence was concerning because the tower itself didn’t look safe, but that he thinks the complaints are coming from the neighborhood’s newest residents, who misunderstand the park’s history and culture…Don’t come to an already-made park where there’s already been homeless people for years. This isn’t a regular park. This park is famous for homeless people,” Mr. Parrot said. “I sweep this park everyday. The homeless people clean where we chill… I don’t see any yuppies walking over here and grabbing a broom for their dog
