Tomorrow is Easter, which means the NYPD is getting ready for a different kind of tradition: The so-called gang initiation rites. Last year, there were multiple brawls, shootings and arrests in and near Penn Station and Times Square, which was enough violence for Mayor Bloomberg to call it "wilding". Now, the Post reports, "The NYPD and Midtown merchants are bracing for another Easter Sunday (or 'Gang Initiation Day') wilding session -- with extra patrols and boosted security ready to take on marauding gangs looking to terrorize Times Square and nearby businesses"
The police started noticing the Easter night violence back in 2003. Another attraction is apparently the NY Auto Show at the Javits Center, though the Auto Show spokesman said last year that the gangs didn't seem to be there. As for tomorrow, a police source told DNAinfo, "We've anticipated a large influx of kids again."
Police have metal barricades on the streets, but one Times Square restaurant manager spoke wistfully to the Post, "Easter used to be all about bunnies and chocolate."
