Seven marked NYPD cruisers parked outside the Strategic Response Group 3 headquarters in Windsor Terrace had their tires slashed on Monday afternoon, according to police. The damage was discovered around 4:30 p.m., and several patrol cars had to be pulled from service while detectives launched an investigation. As of Tuesday, authorities said no suspects were in custody.
According to the New York Post, the cruisers were found with punctured tires in front of the SRG 3 building on Coney Island Avenue near Caton Place. Investigators had not yet released any description of potential suspects or details about what tool was used to slash the tires.
What the Strategic Response Group Actually Does
The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group is a citywide special operations unit that mobilizes for citywide demonstrations, civil disorders and major events, including shootings and bank robberies, as outlined by the NYPD. SRG squads provide tactical support across boroughs and are trained to respond to large, high-risk incidents where regular patrol units might need backup.
Snowball Fight, Viral Video and a Bad Turn
The tire-slashing hit the radar the same day another incident involving police lit up social media. Viral clips showed a pre-planned snowball fight in Washington Square Park spin out of control, with participants hurling ice and snow at uniformed officers and leaving some officers treated for facial injuries, as detailed in snowball chaos in Washington Square. Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch blasted the behavior as “disgraceful” and “criminal,” and detectives were already reviewing footage from the scene, according to the outlet.
Why the Timing Feels Extra Charged
The vandalism also lands in the middle of a political fight over the very unit whose cruisers were hit. In December 2024, Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote on X that he wanted to “disband the SRG,” a position that drew sharp criticism from law enforcement groups and political opponents, according to Fox News. That pledge has resurfaced in coverage of recent clashes between crowds and officers, with SRG frequently in the spotlight.
Union Anger and the Hunt for Clues
Police unions have condemned both the Washington Square confrontation and the vandalism of SRG vehicles, demanding swift arrests and prosecutions while pressing officials to put officer safety front and center, according to CBS New York. Brooklyn detectives say they are canvassing the Windsor Terrace area, pulling surveillance video and speaking with potential witnesses as the investigation moves forward.
On top of that, investigators are asking anyone who filmed either scene to preserve original footage and share it with detectives, as checks of video and witness accounts continue on both the Manhattan and Brooklyn sides.
