The NYPD's impound of three Bushwick party buses this month, including a notable double-decker, has sparked backlash from owners and concern from the community. One of the buses, a 1967 Leyland Atlantean double-decker owned by lighting designer Robin Russell-French, was towed while parked on Starr Street in Bushwick and suffered significant damage when it was dragged under a low overpass. A video showing the incident went viral, heightening tensions between bus owners and local authorities.

Russell-French, who is currently living with a chronic pain condition called complex regional pain syndrome, said he had parked the bus in Bushwick because he was unable to regularly move it due to his illness. According to PIX11 News, he explained, "It’s not street legal to drive the thing. It has parking insurance on it, so I had to tow it from location to location." Despite his condition, local residents lodged complaints, which eventually led to the NYPD's intervention. The bus owner now is considering legal action, having stated, "I got my family heirlooms that are very dear to me, but there’s so much more I have to get that I wasn’t prepared to do."

The other impounded buses were owned by individuals who, like Russell-French, reported no prior history of their vehicles being towed for minor infractions such as unpaid parking tickets. Michelle Joni, whose party bus was among those towed, told Gothamist, "It kind of feels like we’re under attack," echoing the sentiment of surprise and frustration felt by other local artists and event organizers affected by the NYPD's actions.

Councilmember Robert Holden's office took credit for facilitating the police crackdown on stationary vehicles used as late-night party spots. "Our main concern is our constituents, and they didn't want it. So we stepped in," said Holden's Deputy Chief of Staff Alicia Vaichunas in a statement obtained by Gothamist. She conceded that while French's bus was parked in Bushwick outside their district, many constituents considered it an eyesore. Despite this acknowledgment, the district's actions have left some local artists feeling targeted and their creative expressions curtailed.

The NYPD released a statement amidst the controversy, asserting that “After numerous community complaints and violations observed by the 104th Precinct, the NYPD towed the vehicle from the location. The vehicle came into contact with a low bridge. The vehicle subsequently passed under the bridge and was towed away to a storage facility. An inspection of the bridge concluded there was no structural damage,” as noted by Gothamist.