If This Happened in Pittsfield, What Should the Consequence Be?

A snowball fight in New York City turned into a criminal investigation this week, and it's sparking a debate as Mayor Mamdani referred to them as "kids throwing snowballs", well kids and adults - and there were- in Washington Square - until the cops showed up - then they got attacked.

On Monday afternoon, a large crowd gathered at Washington Square Park in Manhattan for an organized snowball fight that had been promoted on social media.

When NYPD officers arrived to respond to a disorderly conduct call, the crowd turned on them, pelting the officers with snowballs and chunks of ice. Two officers were taken to the emergency room with lacerations to their face and head. Video of the incident spread rapidly, showing officers trying to retreat from the park while being chased and pelted by the crowd.

The response from city leadership was anything but unified. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the behavior "disgraceful and criminal," and detectives launched an investigation. The department released photos of four suspects wanted for questioning. But when Mayor Zohran Mamdani was asked about it at a press conference, he shrugged it off - "From the videos I've seen, it looks like a snowball fight." His own police commissioner disagreed publicly.

The Police Benevolent Association blasted the mayor's response as "a complete failure of leadership," pointing out that officers were struck with ice chunks, not powder.

Mamdani did say later, however, that these officers were the ones who helped people throughout the storm and do not deserve any disrespect.

Which brings us to our question for Berkshire County.

We still have plenty of snow on the ground here in the Berkshires, and our officers have been out in the elements right alongside residents throughout this winter season.

If this happened to a Pittsfield police officer, what should the consequence be?