Police Chief Criticized After Brooklyn Disturbance

WNBC 4
Apr. 06, 2006

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NEW YORK -- Police officials faced fallout on Wednesday from a street disturbance in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, including accusations that their department's highest-ranking uniformed officer flew into a rage and cursed out the crowd.

Assemblymen Dov Hikind said numerous civilian witnesses heard Chief of Department Joseph Esposito yell "F--- the Jews" and "F--- the community" while officers struggled to tame an unruly crowd Tuesday night in Borough Park. The politician and other community leaders were demanding an apology.

Images: Hasidim Protest Man's Arrest

Esposito "lost it last night," said Hikind, an area Democrat. "He thought he was in the Wild West."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Republican, said that, although officials would review the entire episode, "from what I can see the police department acted appropriately."

The department released a statement saying Esposito "acknowledged that in attempting to bring under control a chaotic situation in front of the 66th Precinct stationhouse last night he used inappropriate language in instructing police officers to 'Get these f---ing people out of here."'

Hundreds of residents had stormed the streets amid accusations -- later denied by police officials -- that officers used excessive force in arresting 75-year-old Arthur Schick after a routine traffic stop.

Schick said by telephone Wednesday that he had been making a turn and didn't notice a passing police vehicle with its emergency lights flashing. He said the squad car returned and pulled him over and an officer told him he had been driving while using his cell phone and asked to see his license and registration.

Schick said he asked the officer for his name and the name of his partner. He said the officer handcuffed him and his partner "used excessive force" and pushed him.

Schick said he was unable to get up the step of a police van so about four officers forced him into it. He said that one of the officers told him, "This is the way we put in (racial slur)."

Police said two other people who meddled in the incident were also arrested. They had no comment on Schick's claim of a racial slur.

As word of the arrests spread, angry protesters -- many of them teenagers wearing traditional black suits and hats -- flooded the streets and set small fires. Some surrounded the police station and chanted, "No Justice, no peace," before officers in riot gear were dispatched to disperse the crowd.

Schick, who claimed he had markings on his hands and saw a doctor on Wednesday, said he thought the behavior of the protesters was improper. "I feel that it was a disgrace," he said. "It was wrong."

Hikind blamed the police.

"The behavior of the young people in the street was unfortunate, but it escalated because of the police," he said.

Of Esposito, the assemblyman said: "We don't want his head. We want an apology."

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly insisted he had "total confidence" in the chief.

"Sometimes in a chaotic situation things may be said that people might regret in the future," Kelly said. "But he's an outstanding commander, and I think overall the situation was handled well."