A viral video has called into question the priorities of the New York City Police Department as close to 10 officers could be seen arresting a single man — in connection with a smoking violation.
Warning: Language
The roughly minute-and-a-half clip depicts a man in a suit with his hands behind his back being restrained by several officers as a woman could be heard questioning their actions.
“Why are you arresting him? Why are you putting cuffs on him?” she demanded while the detained individual asked, “Do you see this?”
Off camera, one of the officers explained, “We asked him for his identification, he did not provide it.”
As the interaction continued, and the man placed in cuffs hurled profanities at the police, one member calmly explained that the individual was being brought to the precinct for refusing to present his identification after he was told he had committed a smoking violation in Union Square Park where it is prohibited.
The actions of the NYPD weren’t the focus of public scrutiny near so much as the number of officers involved, particularly as the video gained viral traction via the account Clown World the same day that a 25-year-old suspect had shot four people within an hour in Brooklyn and Queens, fatally wounding an 87-year-old man.
Good thing the subway is safe, otherwise they might need some police presence there.
— Vantilian (@Vantilian113572) July 8, 2023
6+ police officers to effect an arrest for smoking in/around a NYC park?
But overlook Felony Assaults which are at record levels?— Patriot Party In Space (@Hale823) July 8, 2023
Eight cops to arrest one guy smoking outside of a park? Seems like that cities’ priorities are a bit skewed.
— Dunmer Orion (@DunmerOrion) July 8, 2023
As previously reported, on Saturday morning a suspect riding a scooter was seen on surveillance video driving by random pedestrians and opening fire during the 11 o’clock hour. In addition to the elderly fatality, victims included a 21- and a 63-year-old man, both with non-life-threatening injuries, and a 44-year-old man who had been hospitalized in critical condition.
While all the officers attended this, a man on a scooter went on a shooting spree in NYC.
— EarlyAdopterNFT (@earlyadopterNFT) July 9, 2023
Meanwhile this guy goes free pic.twitter.com/WS3pttTaBc
— Red Pill Broadcast (@RED_PILL_BCAST) July 10, 2023
However, the video had been posted to YouTube as early as June 15 via the account Master Yi which stated, “This pig follows me and demands ID as soon as I light my joint so I refuse because as you can clearly see in the video I’m standing outside the park and when I asked what law or crime I’ve committed? They didn’t provide a proper penal code nor was I on the egress that pertains to Union Square Park. I was before the stairs.”
Despite those claims, the American Civil Liberties Union of New York noted on its website, “If you are stopped, questioned, and/or frisked…In New York, you are not required to carry ID, and you don’t have to show ID to a police officer. If you are issued a summons or arrested, however, and you refuse to produce ID or tell officers who you are, the police may detain you until you can be positively identified.”
They further added, “Don’t bad-mouth a police officer or run away, even if you believe what is happening is unreasonable. That could lead to your arrest.”
While the full extent of the exchange between the officers and the man in question remained unknown, what was known was the impact that unaddressed crime in New York City, including shoplifting, has affected residents where stores have placed everyday items like toothbrushes and canned tuna fish behind lock and key.
So you can rob a target or a Walgreens without being asked a single question but ya can’t not give your ID when asked by a group NYC cops in a public park. Got it. Phew this new world is tricky.
— Tammy Cuthbert Garcia (@TammyCuthbertG) July 8, 2023
So they ignore looters but 10 cops arrest a man for smoking and minding his own business
— The Exotic Bird (@Samira_M_E) July 8, 2023
Glad they have enough officers to arrest a smoker. That means they should have plenty for the real crime in the city.
— Patricia Webster ✝️ (@KyppyDoodle) July 8, 2023
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Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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