Drugs, homeless, prostitutes in Washington Square Park

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Washington Square Park appears to be harkening back to a much seedier time in New York City history.

Nearly 20 drug dealers, addicts and homeless have taken over several benches in the park's northwest corner, reports the NY Post.

Residents in the surrounding Greenwich Village neighborhood are outraged and there are concerns over the safety of students as New York University is set to begin classes in just a few weeks.

The Post reports that on Thursday afternoon, three people were spotted firing up a glass stem and puffing away on benches in the area, presumably smoking crack cocaine.

Another man urinated on a tree.