KEY POINTS

  • Police discovered ice cream tubs filled with concrete during a George Floyd rally
  • Officials immediately issued an alert to all NYPD officers
  • These tubs can be used as a weapon against authorities

Containers filled with hardened concrete designed to appear like chocolate chip ice cream was found in Lower Manhattan near the scene where George Floyd protests were held recently. The discovery prompted police officials to issue an alert to all NYPD officers, Monday (June 8).

Innocent-Looking Containers

Authorities say at least three portions of concrete ice cream dotted with dark-colored spots to make them look like a delicious dessert were found by police sitting on the ledge of a window near Manhattan Supreme Court’s Worth Street entrance on June 3. The hard “ice cream” was contained in what looked like regular to-go coffee cups, according to an internal memo obtained by The Post.

The containers were discovered after one of the many protest rallies demanding justice for the death of George Floyd, the 46-year-old black American from Minnesota who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck. Despite Floyd’s protestations that he can’t breathe, the cop continued to press his leg on the black man’s neck for eight minutes, which according to an autopsy report caused his death.

concrete made to look like ice cream in cups found by NYPD officers in George Floyd rallies
concrete made to look like ice cream in cups found by NYPD officers in George Floyd rallies Sơn Bờm - Pexels

NYPD Alert Up

NYPD immediately issued an alert for all officers. “The Cups were filled with cement and made to look like CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM,” the statement read.

Police officials say their worry is these hard “ice cream” may be used as a weapon against police authorities who try to maintain peace and order during rallies.

While there have been no reports of such items being used as improvised weapons, which could seriously hurt an officer of the NYPD, officials ordered everyone to be on guard for such items and to keep a watchful eye on the crowd.

Protest rallies demanding justice for Floyd have been generally peaceful during the past days. However, looters and anarchists in some areas of New York City have used these protest rallies as their cover to assault the police, steal, and vandalize.

Used In The Past

The department has issued warnings in the past about concrete-filled water bottles and tennis balls. NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea also revealed looters have been strategically storing away bricks before the actual start of the demonstrations. These bricks can be used against NYPD officers and various police assets like vehicles.

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