New York ? With an unprecedented show of force that included crowd-control tools such as plastic netting and concrete barriers, police managed to prevented major disruptions during the Republican National Convention. But they were also accused of heavy-handed tactics.

More than 1,800 protesters were arrested in five days.

“We have every reason to be proud,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday. “The NYPD did a great job.”

Some protesters also called the week a success.

“We’re all mad, we all had that one message, and it really worked,” said Jennifer Flynn, who helped organize a march and rally on Monday on behalf of the poor.