(New York City Sheriff’s Office)
Oct. 12, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
More than 110 partygoers were busted for taking part in an illegal secret-rave party inside a Queens park early Sunday morning.
The partiers – who were flouting social distancing guidelines – were shut down by the New York Sheriff’s Department inside Cunningham Park in Fresh Meadows at around 1:50 a.m., according to the agency.
The revelers had been enjoying beats from a DJ with bar and food service as part of the “illegal rave,” the department tweeted Sunday. Hookah attendants and private security personnel were also present, the agency said.
The department released accompanying photos that showed dozens of white folding chairs and tables holding hookah paraphernalia which were all surrounded by string lighting on the ground.
NYC Sheriffs Department said that four party organizers had been charged with multiple criminal, park and health offenses in relation to the event.
The sheriff’s office tracked the event to the location on social media, according to a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, who said that partygoers had been driven to the park by two buses and they then walked to a clearing in a stand of woods that had been prepared in advance.
COVID-19 guidance on face masks and social distancing were not being followed, the spokesperson added.
10/11/20 @ 0150HRS: Deputy Sheriffs shut down an illegal rave inside Cunningham Park, Queens : 110+ people, DJ, tables, chairs, bar, food service, hookah attendants, lighting, torches & security personnel. 4 organizers charged with multiple criminal, park & health offenses. pic.twitter.com/erywcmO0mY
— NYC SHERIFF (@NYCSHERIFF) October 11, 2020
