2023 Chess Simul Canceled Because Of Lack Of Park Safety

It is with great regret that the Washington Square Association has decided to postpone its celebrated Annual Washington Square Chess Simul in October due to a lack of park safety.  We hope the situation gets better by the Spring.

Last year, a mentally ill man disrupted the Chess Simul, intimidated several players including a young girl, and tried to steal some of the chess pieces. The situation was eventually deescalated without violence. Last month, a man overdosed in the chess corner, bringing concerns about the presence of fentanyl where we would hold this event.      

Safety conditions in Washington Square Park have become untenable in the last months - the recent stabbing murder, drug overdose in the very area we would throw the chess event, woman who was slashed in the face and most recently the assault on the Park Administrator for simply doing his job.  We were debating how to throw this event without a significant amount of effort from the already stretched thin 6th Precinct.

Recently, the WSA board member who runs the Chess Simul had a man hop her padlocked fence on Washington Square, knock her over, bloodily assault a man from the street who tried to help and then after a struggle, run off.  He was later arrested but immediately let go, routinely broke the order of protection, and has at least several times hopped her fence trying to break in through her door. Quizzically, he remains out of jail without having to pay any bail and is unlikely to serve any jail time or be given any counseling services, according to the District Attorney’s office.  We expect him to be in the park regularly.

We cannot in good conscience throw an event where a likely consequence will be putting you and our board members in danger. This is a call to action for our community organizations and our elected officials. If we don’t make our collective voices heard and take action, we will continue to lose our rights and privileges. Many of us are afraid to walk in the park. Elderly community members have stopped going. Parents have reported to the police a homeless encampment near the children's playground. They are rightly concerned about the presence of needles and fentanyl injuring their children.

The Washington Square Association will continue to be a strong voice for improvements to the park.  We can plant as many beautiful flowers in the park as we want, but if we don’t address the safety concerns of Washington Square Park, we will not be able to enjoy them.