NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The “Thank You, NYPD” campaign in New York City is an ongoing effort to show appreciation for those in blue.
The campaign has encouraged residents to upload videos expressing appreciation for the department. St. Johns head coach Rick Pitino was among those who responded, thanking those he said have helped maintain a safe urban environment.
“I want to give a sincere thank you to the NYPD officers who do such an incredible job keeping our city safe,” Pitino said Friday in a video posted on Madison Square Garden’s Instagram account. “Thank you very much.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
FOX Sports broadcaster Gus Johnson interviews St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino after the Red Storm defeated the Connecticut Huskies in the Big East Conference Tournament championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 14, 2026. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Pitino’s expression of gratitude came just hours before the Red Storm’s first round of the men’s NCAA tournament. St. John’s, seeded fifth, faced No. 12 Northern Iowa on Friday night in San Diego.
Later this month, as part of the promotion, Madison Square Garden will host an exclusive concert with a star-studded lineup including Cyndi Lauper, John Fogerty, rapper and New York Knicks fan Fat Joe and others. St. John’s plays most of its home games at Madison Square Garden.
ICONIC SPORTS VENUE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN TO HOST NYPD, EMPLOYEES AT PRIVATE CONCERT AMID ‘THANKS’ EFFORT
“Today we announced ‘Thank You, NYPD,’ a campaign encouraging all New Yorkers to thank the New York City Police Department for its service to our great city!” Madison Square Garden said Wednesday in a post on X.
Newly graduated New York City police officers greet family members after their police cadet graduation ceremony on March 9, 2026, outside Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)
Uniformed police officers and civilian employees, along with their loved ones, will be invited to the private event scheduled for March 28. “The Garden” also encouraged New Yorkers to submit individual “thank you” videos.
Comedians Chris Distefano and Sam Morril are also among the confirmed performers for the event.
MSG Entertainment said it will donate the venue and cover all event costs. MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports CEO and Chairman Jim Dolan said the event was not political, but a “sincere” thank you to the city’s police department.
Madison Square Garden Sports Director Jim Dolan attends a game between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2024 in New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“There are times in our culture today when the dissenter’s voice is louder than the majority. That’s how it is with law enforcement, and especially the NYPD,” Dolan said in a statement.
“Cries to ‘defund the police’ and other negative statements do not reflect the true feelings of New Yorkers. If that is what our police officers are hearing and no one steps forward to say otherwise, it can be disheartening. This concert to say ‘Thank You, NYPD’ is designed to let our police know that we New Yorkers need, respect and value their efforts and service.”
