Posted on 06/30/2005 1:29:31 AM PDT by Red Sea Swimmer
A rabbi in New Jersey got himself arrested after allegedly getting hot under the collar. But now - also hot under the collar - is the orthodox Jewish community of Lakewood, New Jersey.
Rabbi Yosel Bursztyn allegedly scuffled with an officer during a traffic stop, but those in the community claim the officer over reacted.
Eyewitness News reporter Marcus Solis has the story. The police union says it had no doubt the officer will be ultimately cleared of using excessive force because part of this dispute was captured by the patrol car's on-board recording system. But that's of little comfort to members of the orthodox community here who are very angry with the way the rabbi was treated.
Bernice Shain, Lakewood Resident: "I think it's a terrible thing that happened. He's a very special person - well respected and deserving of respect." High praise for a high Rabbi - Yosef Bursztyn - who was arrested Sunday night. Burnstyn was driving south on Forest Avenue in Lakewood when he saw his niece had been pulled over by a police officer. Police say after ignoring orders to step away from the car, the 62-year-old rabbi assaulted Officer Erik Menck.
Capt. Robert Lawson, Lakewood Police Dept.: "According to the officer's report he grabbed his shirt, I don't know if it was to look at the officer's badge number or name tag. The officer tried to get out of the vehicle, at which point the individual prevented him from doing so by leaning on the door."
Burstyn was eventually forced to the ground and handcuffed. The rabbi was released and allowed to go to hospital - told to surrender the next day. He did not. Instead, hundreds of members of the orthodox community staged a protest outside of police headquarters. Area Resident: "Such a story is heartbreaking. The rabbi is - personally I owe my life to him - always doing us all favors."
The officer's actions are under investigation, though the head of the union says there's no reason. John Stillwell, Lakewood PBA: "Officer Minck was proper during the motor vehicle stop he made and he was proper in all of his actions afterwards."
But that's a hard sell to the nearly 50,000 orthodox Jews in Lakewood, many of whom are calling for an independent investigation.
Seth Haber, Lakewood Resident: "If something happens to one of the orthodox brothers like myself you stick up for your brother and you want to make sure he's okay and you want to help him out. But again, nobody's anti the police department. They do a great job."
The rabbi did appear at the police station today. He was photographed, finger printed and charged with aggravated assault of a police officer and resisting arrest. In the meantime, we have learned there was a closed-door meeting late this afternoon between members of the police department and several rabbis in an effort to smooth things over.
It will be interesting to see if the Police Officer is vindicated.
I don't much like surveillance cameras in general, but these patrol car cameras strike me as a very good idea.
Yosel, what is it about, "Step away from the car!" you don't understand?
Book 'em.
Particularly since it appears it was the officer's car he was being told to step away from. First time through, I thought the rabbi was being asked to step away from his own car, which sounded like the officer was being heavier than he needed to be. But it says he leaned on the door and wouldn't let the officer get out, which is something else entirely. I'm pretty sure I'd get arrested for that, no matter how much my friends liked and respected me.
“The rabbi was released and allowed to go to hospital - told to surrender the next day. He did not. Instead, hundreds of members of the orthodox community staged a protest outside of police headquarters.”
You are right, That is very interesting.
“The rabbi did appear at the police station today. He was photographed, finger printed and charged with aggravated assault of a police officer and resisting arrest.”
Even more interesting.
I wonder if it is a normal custom and practice for this PD to release and then “order to surrender” persons suspected of committing aggravated assault on a police officer and also suspected of resisting arrest
I can't wait to see the video.
What part of "step away from the vehicle" didn't he understand? Police officers don't have the time or resources to check the community standing of everyone who disregards their instructions. He should have been taken to the station and booked for obstruction of justice. The good Rabbi should not even have stopped. This officer did nothing wrong from what I read.
A pushy orthodox rabbi? I can't imagine.
If he touched the cop, he should go to jail. You don't mess with a police officer in the lawful pursuit of his duties.
What was the rabbi thinking getting involved in the traffic stop, anyway? He wasn't part of the incident. He should have stayed the heck out of it.
as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.
it's not too smart to fight with the police.
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