Manhattan Boro President, Scott M. Stringer, has written a sharp letter to NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly in regards to the incident last Shabbos, where an Orthodox man was forced to write his name and address for an NYPD officer causing him to desecrate the Shabbos. This was after the officer stopped the man for “J-Walking”, and wanted to issue him a summons. The NYPD quickly reacted to the incident, and pledged to take appropriate action.
Shortly after that, NYC Councilman David Greenfield called for the immediate suspension of the officers.
On Tuesday, the Manhattan Boro President sent a letter to Kelly urging a “full-scale investigation” into the incident.
To read the letter, visit www.flatbushscoop.com where that letter has been exclusively posted.
(Paloma Gefen – YWN)
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10 Responses
why didn’t Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz write a letter?
where is Al Dov Hikind?
The officers action was appalling. I’m glad they are suspended.
However, not to in any way suggest that what the officers did was right, J-walking is a serious problem and should be addressed by our community. I have been ticketed for it myself. It is dangerous and illegal. If this story actually stops someone from J-Walking and helps save lives, then maybe something good can come of this horrible incident.
I agree! It was disgusting!
1&2,
Markowitz is busy doing exercise.
Why was it mutar to be mechallel shobbos though? It wasnt pikuach nefesh. Why not just let them drive him to the station?
2, Hikind is either in Israel or he’s out looking for a live camera & open microphone.
Well we should make a breakfast for them and it will all go away.
#6 That’s a question you should ask a posek, not the respectable forum of YWN. Maybe he did it with his left hand, and it constitutes a shevut bimkom tzaar? (spending shabbos in jail, where is not so sure he wouldn’t end up being mechallel shabbos anyway plus having your wife freaking out for the whole shabbos without her knowing what happened to her husband is quite a tzaar)
#6,
As I’ve posted elsewhere, refusing to write was not an option, because there was a realistic possibility that this would have resulted in his spending the night in jail, which is (at least) a Safek Sakanah (he could have been attacked by someone violent, HIV positive, or with Hepatitis C). Even Safek Sakanah would justify the performance of a Melacha d’Oraysa, and Kal Vachomer if it was done with a Shinuy.
However, the fact that no Aveira was committed is besides the point. It is outrageous that NYC police officers (whose salaries are paid, in no small part, with tax dollars from members of our community) would not be sensitive to Shabbos observance.