Crowd of Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn Protest Over Arrest

Borough Park Arrest Sparks Protest, Street Fires
Residents Claim Ticket Blitz Reason For Animosity


Lou Young
Reporting

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(CBS) BROOKLYN The street fires in Borough Park on Tuesday night began near the spot where elderly Arthur Schick was pulled over for talking on his cell phone and somehow ended up under arrest.

Those who saw all or part of the incident insist the NYPD's behavior was excessive.

When CBS 2 arrived on the scene, Schick's Cadillac was still parked curbside near the bakery he once owned that still bears his name.

Police said he became uncooperative when they pulled him over, and that he and three others who tried to intercede were arrested. As crowds of black clad orthodox and Hasidic Jews shouted complaints about the arrest, police moved in and tried to clear the streets.

Firefighters did their best to get to the trash fires, pushing, shoving and shouting.

At one point a police cruiser was physically blocked from moving until riot officers cleared the protesters away.

Many in the crowd complained of strained relations with the local precinct. Some suggested an on-going parking ticket blitz has this community on edge.