Yesterday was a beautiful day in the city. The sun was shining bright, the leaves were whirling in the street corners, and the birds were chirping. Everyone was doing their errands, be it on Kingston Ave. or Fulton Street in Manhattan. I even talked to a very friendly officer as I was going into the subway.
So why does everyone feel and think that there is so much bad in the world? Why today did I not feel or see any of it? Well the reason is because there is lots of good in the world, but there are a bunch of problems too. Just like people, a person is mostly good but they can have a couple of problems which can make a relationship not work. The same applies to a job, for example being a police officer. For the most part they are doing their job, but there are some glaring issues as well.
Op-Ed: “I Never Imagined It Would Happen To Me”
Yesterday was a beautiful day in the city. The sun was shining bright, the leaves were whirling in the street corners, and the birds were chirping. Everyone was doing their errands, be it on Kingston Ave. or Fulton Street in Manhattan. I even talked to a very friendly officer as I was going into the subway.
So why does everyone feel and think that there is so much bad in the world? Why today did I not feel or see any of it? Well the reason is because there is lots of good in the world, but there are a bunch of problems too. Just like people, a person is mostly good but they can have a couple of problems which can make a relationship not work. The same applies to a job, for example being a police officer. For the most part they are doing their job, but there are some glaring issues as well.
Sunday night I had a firsthand experience with some of the glaring issues at hand with police in our community. I never imagined it would happen to me, but I always heard about it. See, I am not from Crown Heights. I studied here for a year when I was younger, and moved back two months ago. So I am not used to the politics, and I am not used to being given bogus charges from people who are supposed to be protecting me. I don’t want to have any part in all of that. It’s useless, and it consumes too much time, energy, and emotion. I think we should take all that time and effort and focus it on good things, like helping families who cannot afford to put bread on their table.
I don’t believe in police being able to give a ticket or arrest someone, when they are not guilty of anything. Earlier this week I was downtrodden when friends were telling me “That is how the police are, they can do what they want”. They CANNOT do what they want. They do it because they are able to get away with it. If the police headquarters gets feedback about such situations then they deal with the problem. Not necessarily because they feel like it, but because there is pressure from lots of people.
I could have let this incident gone by, taken the charge, and moved on with life. However I am very aware of many people who got similar charges. I have friends who called me up that very day telling me their stories. Every time these incidents occur, it is usually quick, and why would someone be there filming it? People don’t usually carry around cameras, and even if they did, they wouldn’t have it turned on for unexpected charges. Thanks to CrownHeights.info, the case I have carries a lot more weight.
Although this happened on Sunday, it is still unsettled, as the police officers are distorting the story. When the NY Post was contacted to publish the story, I was told by them that the police report claims we were told to move, and we didn’t comply. Today I got additional news that the police distorted it even more. There are a handful of witnesses who were there, and they can tell you how thing really happened. There are other news outlets being contacted. The precinct commander is dealing with it, and holding meetings with those officers. There is a law firm that I visited this week which saw this story with the pictures and videos, and it will be used against the NYPD.
We cannot allow our friends, family and community to be taken advantage of. I definitely was, and I am trying to do something about it. Perhaps with my efforts now, there will be a small ripple effect. Perhaps in a half year from now, there will be enough of an uproar and evidence of all of these daily incidents, and these things WILL change. There is nothing out of reach if there is a real interest in it. I am sure there are people who thought this story was petty, because I should just let it go. However until something occurs to you yourself, you never know how it really feels.
We will prevail. We as a community can take care of problems. Let us try to set aside the small ‘problems’ and our egos. Let’s make sure our community isn’t corrupted and ruled by people who are paid with our tax dollars, dislike us and harass us at times. I am referring to the police, but these statements apply to life in general here in Crown Heights.
The sun is still shining, the birds are still chirping, it’s a bright and warm day out there. Let’s make the most of it. Let us show the world our true colors: that we are a kind and loving people. Those are our true colors. They are visible primarily on weekends when there are many visitors here, and the hospitality is like none other in the world. Let us show the world that when there is a problem, we as a collective people and voice, will denounce it, and make sure that problem ceases to exist. It’s in our hands, each and every one of us, young and old, man and woman, regardless of race or creed.
Related Articles:
When Rookie Cops Forget What Their Real Job Is…
This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info or its Editors.
Any reader that wishes to make his or her voice heard, on any topic of their desire, is welcome to submit his or her Op-Ed to News@CrownHeights.info.
wow!
nicely said:)
mendndnn
sue and make money off it
Let-s make some serious change
The writer is calm & articulate. In a normal world, that should add to his credibility. However, our world here in Crown Heights isn’t normal, because those in authority don’t respond to politeness & honesty. They listen to the likes of rabble rousers like Al Sharpton. They target Shomrim, who actually do good for the community.
Even if there is video evidence, the police will spin it to their advantage & will paint these bochurim as troublemaking & belligerent. So who speaks for them?
I firmly believe we need a public meeting, a rally, or some gathering to protest mistreatment. Again, the Black community finds this works. So why don’t we employ the same methods?
We have a community council. Our hopes were raised with the recent elections, only to see that like in the national sphere, nothing has changed & if anything, things are worse. When before have innocent people been ticketed for quietly talking on a street?
Misters Tamir, Hackner & Brownstein are as ineffectual as the previous incumbents. They have wonderful meetings, inviting Clarke, Camara et al, but do we see changes? I don’t.
Why should the author be fighting alone? We should be fighting too. Mr. Bergovoy, please post details of how we can help you. I am willing to offer my (not inconsiderable!) talents to fight this injustice.
no idea what your talking about
What were they stopped and ticketed for???
Sarcastic in CH
OMG, the picture shows they are such dangerous criminals, doesn’t it? Just look at their angry body language, their threatening behavior! The police should be given medals for their restraint; they only ticketed them, but we can all see that these 3 guys are really bad guys. Next time they’ll blow cops’ heads off with rocket launchers.
Simonetti, are you reading all this? Do you understand how dangerous as well as stupid your officers are? Are they looking to start a war here? Oh, no, they only target JEWS. Other residents WILL blow their heads. We just talk nice.
to number 4
The story is right here… http://www.crownheights.inf…
Boruch Wolf
Well written op-ed.
The constitution is an antiquated document according to the police. Where in the constitution are powers granted to fight against the general welfare of the community? The government is only supposed to intervene in EXTREME circumstances to protect the citizenry. Otherwise you have what we have now; a police state.
We are living in a fascistic society that the lowest scum are granted guns and citation books and told to swarm the streets to harass the citizenry. Do you think the founders would call the NYPD, ‘New York’s finest’? Are you kidding me?! Thomas Jefferson and his ilk are turning in their graves for the war on the people led by the Government.
The police’s true role can be made as an analogy to private info being requested of you. If you call a bank and they ask you for your social security number, as the initiator of the dialogue you trust them. If they call you for it, they are suspect and you don’t give them any info. Likewise with police. If you call them and they respond, they are doing their proper role. If you are doing your thing and they venture into your path, you know they are exploiting their role and acting like thugs. Illegal according to the constitution. I don’t give a flying falafel what Bloomberg says.
CH fed up resident
You ought to sue or we will continue to be persecuted. A loss of liberty isn’t frivolous. Today it’s you tomorrow it’s me. Even though I have not received similar treatment YET, it’s now intimidating to me to walk out of my front door. I don’t only need to beware of mugging thugs, I now must fear the NYPD thugs. The NYPD thugs are actually worse, because they nail you even when you don’t have your wallet with you!
TAKE LEGAL ACTION! Ignore those that call you a gold digger or whatever. You go fight for the entire community and if you get money in the process, good for you! I’m sick of being the ATM of the NYPD of Bloomberg. They squeezed so much money out of me (3 citations totaling $2,000), and I don’t have money for bread on the table! Why are we being taxed for more police? We need less police!! As Benjamin Franklin so eloquently said; “Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve Neither.” And I say indeed have neither!
Roddy Munoz, MBA
B”H
all international readers of this site should file complaints with the local Kingston Ave police Precint authorities. The contact information is located in the previous article on this event. Yidden are being targetted because they are percieved by local officers as easy targets to generate local revenue (via tickets). I woula advise all Yidden in this area to keep their smart phones with vidieo handy to film any and all further efforts of official Police intimidation and misconduct. Please refrain from doing this on Shabbosim and Yoym Toyvim.
Kol Tuv
happy
im happy you are doing somthing about it THANK YOU. p.s if you make money off it all be happyer for you
absolutely right!!!!
the one who worte this article is absolutely right. hashem is reminding us that we are still in galus and we need mashiach now!!!!!!!!
Chani
bs’d
G-d bless you! I love you! You have my full support, keep us posted! They’re shmo’s! I had to deal with a car full of obnoxious cops when I got robbed, and a girl I knew got mugged, and they dropped the mugger off at the other side of prospect park, but good and kind citizens always get abused! I no longer live in the hood, but I’m sure glad the Aibishter sent us an angel who will take charge and make things happen…. don’t listen to these scardy-cats! Those type of people told everyone to shut their window shades in Nazi Germany, claiming it would go away.
Kudos to you!!!
impressed!
“..birds are still chirping…” lol
Good attitude!
stop being trouble makers
the cops have to worry about protecting you from terrorist and you give them more problems when you break the law and complain about it when you get caught doing something wrong.Im sure if you wouldnt have been trying to give the cops a hard time by talking back and being rude to them you would not have gotten the ticket but no. stop trying to play the victim and let the cops do their jobs. I dont know if you heard the news but the terrorist are try to blow up the Jewish community so help the police help you and stop being so complicated when they approach you and talk to you be a lil more respectful and im sure the police will not bother you. We are in crazy times you say you dont need cops but if their is an attack in crown height the shomrim is not going to be much help for u.
Stop it before it grows...
Yes indeed, you need to fight the “small” acts of injustice, lest they lead the way to greater acts…
Go Yosef…
TO NUMBER 14!!
HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT!!? I WAS THERE. NOT ONE WAS BEING RUDE. YOU ARE THE REASON FOR THE POLICE BEING SO POWERFUL AND ALLOWING THEM TO DO WHAT THEY WANT. THEY ABUSE THEIR POWER ON A DAILY BASIS.
AS FOR TERRORISM, THEY HAVE THEIR SPECIAL UNITS FOR THAT.
To comment 3..
You can e-mail me at bochur1384@yahoo.com for help, suggestions and referrals. Thank you.
Jim
The police harass everyone. The people (all people) in Crown Heights are not exempt. The public relations department of the NYPD released a campaign asking us, the public, for CPR -Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect. They should examine their own modus operandi and give us, the tax payers, the residents of the city which they are employed to protect the same CPR treatment. No one should be arrested for chatting with friends on a sidewalk or private front yard. This is common sense to you and me, and this should be common sense to the NYPD. And if the NYPD are unable to ascertain what is and what isn’t a crime, they should be retrained for the benefit of all people living and visiting NYC, and for the benefit of community police relations. To do any less is a detriment to us all.
Good luck with your impending lawsuit. I hope, more than a monetary award, that a policy change will come of it.