The New York Police Department (NYPD) was dispatched to reports of riots in a nearby neighborhood on Saturday, where a “rage room” event was in progress, the New York Post reported.

The realistic setting of the outdoor “rage room” event prompted concerned passersby to call police. according to According to the New York Post, police were called to the scene of real mayhem at The Ragery, an entertainment center where people pay $5 to wreck cars as a stress-relief measure.

Roman Lup, owner of The Ragary, said NYPD officers arrived on the scene at about 2:45 p.m. with sirens blaring after receiving a 911 call reporting that three men had crashed into a car, according to the outlet. The call came just an hour after the event had begun, according to the outlet. Participants, wearing matching helmets, safety glasses, earmuffs and aprons, were reportedly engaged in the controlled dismantling of the damaged truck, which had been placed on a tarp and strapped to a trailer.

Police called people who vandalized cars on the Lower East Side, but it turned out to be a sanctioned act of violence https://t.co/VuDC3lDSEW pic.twitter.com/FJ68Go5pKk

— New York Post (@nypost) July 20, 2024

“They were very confused. The look on their faces was very confused,” Lupu said, according to the New York Post. “After a while, they started to get closer and closer, so I went over to them and talked to them and said, 'Hey guys, don't worry. This is all a plan. This is just a fun little promotional event for customers of the new Rage Room that's opened in town.'” (RELATED: NYPD officers capture video of suicidal man being pulled off overpass)

Despite being advertised at The Ragery's Website The event, which was rescheduled due to rain, appears to have surprised both the NYPD and local residents. According to the New York Post, Lup launched the business with his partner Bogdan Zhukovsky in January 2024 as a unique way for New Yorkers to release pent-up aggression.