Two Hatzolah EMS volunteers responded to a call for an individual who was in diabetic shock near Woodridge's Village Hall Wednesday night, when they were ticketed by 'Police Chief' (the town has only two police officers) John Calvello for “unlawful use of red lights.”
Hatzalah Paramedics Ticketed in Catskills Town
Two Hatzolah EMS volunteers responded to a call for an individual who was in diabetic shock near Woodridge’s Village Hall Wednesday night, when they were ticketed by ‘Police Chief’ (the town has only two police officers) John Calvello for “unlawful use of red lights.”
The cop cited them despite New York State law which allows the use of red lights when EMS personnel are responding to an emergency.
A Hatzalah member who was present at the scene told CrownHeights.info that the policeman called him into his office and explained to him that while he knew they were legally allowed to use red lights when responding, he was forced to write the tickets by Isaac Kantrowitz, a village trustee who is also one of the town’s police commissioners.
Indeed, said the eyewitness, Mr. Kantrowitz was on the scene “screaming in a highly unprofessional manner” to have them all ticketed.
Mr. Kantrowitz is infamous in the area as a self-hating Jew who likes to cause trouble for Orthodox Jewish residents in the form of regulatory harassment via excessive health, building fire and environmental inspections and citations.
The incident has angered Hatzolah coordinators following years of cooperation between all emergency personnel.
“We stand behind our members 100 percent, as they did nothing wrong. They were dispatched to a serious emergency in front of the municipal building, and we are surprised at the actions of the police,” Rabbi David Cohen, the CEO of Chevra Hatzolah, told the newspaper.
“It should be noted that Hatzolah members are authorized by law to utilize red lights and sirens while responding to emergencies, and we will do everything in our legal power to ensure that the law is respected by the Woodridge Police department.”
yehuda
hit up every local paper and youtube,
what next?
Who is this turkey Kantrowitz? Sounds like a frum Jew. Hope he never needs Hatzalah.
DaasTorah
Hopefully they will get a lawyer, beat the tickets, and then file a civil suit against this rodef.
Be Grateful!
The people who live in the Catskills should be THANKING all the orthodox Jews for giving them their livelihood!! The profit these people make through the summer keeps them alive!! Without the Jews they would have nothing!
show some respect!
Mr. Kantrowitz is still a Yid
I’m sorry but it is disrespectful to give negative publicity to a Jew, even if he isn’t as righteous as you are.
AntiRadioAnd Beepers
do like in Fallsburg: have the bagel store give lots of donuts to the officers, and all is well
Milhouse
#5, Look in Shulchon Oruch, and you’ll find it’s not so.
yankel
if this event is left go, people who desparately need Hatzalah’s service could possibly die, does this man understand that?