(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Upon returning from Maimonides Medical Center at 1AM on Monday, Councilman David Greenfield is calling for an independent investigation into the arrest of a 71 year old chasidic man who was cited for speaking on his cell phone.

“It’s disconcerting to see a 71 year old grandfather sitting in the Emergency Room with bruises all over his face and body after his interaction with local police officers,” said Councilman David Greenfield after leaving the hospital. “The bedrock of policing in New York City is courtesy, professionalism and respect. The NYPD must investigate to ensure that these standards have been adhered to.”

“At the end of the day when you are dealing with a 71 year old short little man, a little common sense should prevail. The training in the police academy does not train you to do this to a senior citizen,” said Jack Meyer, president of Misaskim.

Yidel Perlstein, Chair of Community Board 12, said “Just looking at this Boro Parker you can see that he is not a threat. This could have been anybody grandfather. That why this is so disturbing.”

The 71 year old victim alleges that he was pulled over on 18th Ave and 53rd Street for allegedly talking on his cell phone at approximately 8pm. The elderly gentleman, whose native language is not English, says he was doing his best to explain to the officers that the light from the flashlight was too bright and therefore he couldn’t see his registration in his glove compartment. He says that the officers then dragged him out of the car, shoved him into the ground which was full of rain and dirt and arrested him for “disorderly conduct.” He was released after being taken to the local 66th Police Precinct on 16th Avenue in Boro Park.

“The bottom line is that while we are not jumping to any conclusions, we need an immediate and thorough investigation,” said Councilman David Greenfield. “I appreciate that the NYPD met us in the hospital to take a report and I expect a full, fair and transparent investigation.”

Disturbing video of 71 year old grandfather dragged out of car, forced to ground & arrested for alleged cell phone use in BoroPrk @NYPD66Pct pic.twitter.com/VV1FzBKHSt — David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) October 30, 2017

(Chaim Shapiro – YWN)