Article in Gothamist - Crown Heights Gets Angry and Ugly

moominpapa · May 2008

http://gothamist.com/2008/05/17/crown_heights_g.php

I read this this morning and came to the boards figuring there'd be some more info on this (I did read a thread, earlier in the month, about the beating of the police officer's son). Any thoughts? I honestly hadn't noticed anything different, but that might be because I don't hang out as much in CH. Has anybody felt that the atmosphere was getting ugly?

homeowner · May 2008

I think we are to some extent insulated from a lot of this stuff as it occurs deeper (both easterly and southerly) into Crown Heights. The bigger problems with kids and young adults (and it is mostly kids) beating each other up, getting robbed, etc tend to be on Kingston, Albany, Utica area, down by the big park near Buffalo and on the opposite side of Eastern Parkway. The north and western parts of Crown Heights tend to have fewer Hassidic families and more of a religious and racial mix. As a result, we don’t hear about a lot of the incidents that happen within the Hassidic community.

That having been said, none of this is really new. My husband grew up on Union Street in the 70's and has shared stories of getting chased down Union by groups of adult and teenaged Hassidim who demanded to know what he was doing there. I think that post-riots there has been a real attempt on both sides to try and reach out, but if you read the Hassid’s Crown Heights board (www.crownheights.info) there is a real feeling that the black community are preying on them constantly with no interest from the police department. At the same time there is a pretty virulent streak of racism that runs through the posts on that board which indicates that many in the Hassidic community have nothing nice to say about their black neighbors and would like nothing better than to remove all blacks from the neighborhood. So the combustible nature of the community continues.

So to answer your question, I don’t feel like it’s any uglier than it’s always been. We may just be more aware of some of the ugliness.

drkman · May 2008

I live in the area of Crown Heights where the Hasidic Community is. In fact I live down the block from where this incident occured. I have not noticed any greater tensions then what was previously there. The thing with this particular incident, the teenager was probably not targeted because he was Jewish but targeted because he was an easy victim for the perps. It may have happened if it was a black teenager walking around Albany and Empire that time of night. The fact that this was a roberry speaks volumes too me, instead of them jumping the teenager because he was Jewish. Which, from accounts, was different then the attack on the other young man, who was specifically targeted because he was Black. Also, according to newspaper accounts, the only reason that it was known that it was 2 Black teenagers is because someone saw then running away from the scene with the bicycle. The young man that was attacked did not know who his attackers were and I believe he stated that he never saw them. Basically, this does not appear to be a racial attack or retaliation but a case of robbery. Sometimes, as a community, Black and Jewish alike, we have to recognize that since we all live in the area, we are all subject to these random roberries and we should be concentrating on trying to eliminate those type of crimes instead of making things racial issues when they are not one.

homeowner · May 2008

Absolutly. My view is that the folks who are committing robberies are robbing anyone they come across who has what they want.

moominpapa · May 2008

Thanks for the replies! I'm still learning the neighborhood, and it's nice to have other perspectives.

anonymous · May 2008

Subject: What are the FACTS:

As a Jewish resident of crown heights, let me clarify a few things. I personaly, and so do the majority of my neigbors, we all get along just fine with the avrage black man or woman, the tensions are not between Jews and Blacks, they are between the Jewish community and the NYPD, who we feel is not doing enough to protect our community from violent crime (yes, crimes commited by a wild minority of the black community).
We, and our children are getting mugged, beaten, robbed, assaulted, and harrased on a DAILY basis, there is no room for denial, all we want is safety, thats it, now dont start giving me stories about Jews attacking blacks, you know yourself, that these things just DONT happen, as a proof to this - find me one black child who is afraid to walk on the streets of crown heights beacause he is afraid of his jewish neigbors, this just does NOT exist, while OUR children are dead scared, why does that have to be, where does our tax dollars to pay to live in a safe society go to???
Now in regards to the isolated incident of Mr. Charles, a few facts are 100% being ignored by the media, first off, he attacked Jewish boy's by throwing rocks at them, so they chased after the perpetrator - unfortunately a very common scene in crown heights, they TRIED spraying him with pepper spray, but MISSED their target, next a few volunteer patrol members came out of a car and hit him ONCE, so after all he was NOT injured, and what happend here is just framed story of a boy who was supposedly "beaten" by jews, c'mon, stop the fabrications.
Jews are attacked by blacks on a daily basis, NOTHING is done, all of a sudden a black boy starts a crime gets caught and gets one blow which he definitely deserved for trying to do what he did, and wow do the police go up in arms, lets face reality already, who are the ones being attacked over here, and who are the ones acting in slf defense only trying to fend off daily attacks???
Again, we egt along very very fine with most of our black neigbors, it's the NYPD who we are demandingto protect us from these violent (mostly) youth.

anonymous · May 2008

Anytimes a black person is beaten by white people it is assumed to be because of the victim's race.

Anytime a white person is beaten by black people it is assumed to be because of anything but race.

drkman · May 2008

First off I am not going to get into a debate about Black and Jewish or Jewish and Black relations (which ever description you prefer) but as a resident in this area I do think it is an injustice to describe the situations in the area in the manner that they are being described. As far as Mr. Charles is concerned, their has been no proof that he was involved in any rock throwing at homes that has been used as the motivation for the attack. If there was a problem then it is the police that should handle things as vigilante justice only enflames passion and causes contention when there should not be any. There is no way that anyone can state that he deserved to be hit by anyone. That is one of the reasons that the Crown Height riots erupted so badly, people thinking something was done that was wrong and taking justice into their own hand. I think we can all agree that it was something that no resident in Crown Heights wants to go through again. Secondly, you cannot say that Jewish teenagers do not harass Black people in the neighborhood. I am one that have been harrased by a group of Jewish teenagers and if I would have taken the bait, then I would be the one placed at fault. I have been a resident of Crown Heights for approx 15 years and I have never seen Jewish residents scared to walk the streets for fear of something happening. In fact, I see more Jewish residents in the street then I see Black residents, especially late at night so the actions of the community do not support this fear.

Basically it is a mixture of cultures that live in the area and that mixture needs to understand the cultural differences that exist. The one thing that the community does not need is the Blacks do this and the Jewish pepple do that. That is not the way that the community can thrive. I also understand that Hasidics are a very insular group due to religious beliefs and that is fine. Nobody is concerned with that and on a daily basis people get along very well but being an insular group does not shelter anyone from a neighborhood where crime occurs. You cannot think that just because you are a member of any group that the same things that other residents of the neighborhood experience you will not. I was robbed before in the neighborhood but that does not make me fear the people in the neighborhood. Most likely, the guys that robbed me was not even from the immediate vicinity.

Also teenager things are teenager things, regardless of who you are. Some teenagers have a way of getting into a variety of different issues as they try to assert their independence and become adults. Sometimes these things are not the greatest and can lead to tragic results but as adults, we should be able to guide them through the rough patches of growing up instead of inflaming a situation. Not saying this is what occured in any of these incidents but sometimes things are not as major as adults want to make them out to be but when we feed into these situations, we cause more damage then the situation warrants. This can be especially damaging when their are different cultures represented when these things occur. Instead of showing the young ones in the community and talking too them for them to understand and come to a consensus, we take a stand and believe the other side is wrong. I think this happens everywhere and it causes confusion and damage whereas no side really understands what has occured only the outcome.

Lastly, as I stated in my previous post, I don't think that tensions are any greater then what they were previously. At least, I am not seeing or experiencing anything and I still think that Crown Heights is a great neighborhood to live in. We really need a better variety of restaurants in the southern part though

daver · May 2008

Crowd Protests an Assault on a Jewish Teenager
By ANNIE CORREAL and CHRISTINE HAUSER
Published: May 17, 2008

A crowd of more than 300 Hasidic Jews, some shouting “We want justice!” marched in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, on Friday afternoon to protest the assault and robbery of a Jewish teenager early that morning.

The protesters marched from the scene of the assault, at Empire Boulevard and Albany Avenue, to the 71st Precinct station, and then up New York Avenue to Eastern Parkway, where they blocked traffic. They were briefly stopped at Kingston Avenue by a line of police officers who stood arm to arm.

Traffic was reopened on Eastern Parkway at 6:10 p.m., and the crowd gradually dispersed around 6:45 p.m.

According to the police, the teenager, 16, left his house in Crown Heights around 12:10 a.m. on Friday and was attacked and robbed a short while later. He sustained a concussion and cuts on his face and hands, and his bicycle, watch and cellphone were stolen, the police said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/17/nyregion/17protest.html

daver · May 2008

Black and Jewish community leaders in Crown Heights called Sunday for calm - and more help from police and City Hall - in the wake of racially charged violence in the Brooklyn neighborhood.

Geoffrey Davis, brother of slain City Councilman James Davis, organized the gathering at Albany Ave. and Empire Blvd., where black attackers pummeled and robbed Jewish youth Alon Sherman, 16, as he rode his bike on Friday.

"We need more foot patrol. We want solutions and answers," Davis said.

Longtime Crown Heights resident Sam Stern said the community would do whatever it takes - including shutting down bridges and tunnels - to get City Hall's attention.

"This is a cry for help," said Stern.

"I know people who have been victimized, both Jews and blacks. We all have the same values. We must have adequate police protection."

NY Daily News

anonymous · May 2008

Subject: NO TWISTED FACTS!

TO DRKMAN,
O c'mon,
I challenge you to find me any black kid who ever had Jewish men come over to him with a knife demanding his money, NEVER, let alone SHOOTING??? Ask any Jewish kid how many time's he's been confronted by blacks in the street with those or similar scenarios, and much to my dismay, MANY have experienced such incidents, so dont go now, and try to turn the tables, you know very well, that Jews are naturaly NOT violent people or criminals, of course there are always exceptions, but facts are facts, weather you like them or not, i'm not saying this to brag about anyone or to insult anyone, but i am just outraged how people can come up with such fantasies.

Stop trying to turn the tables, the facts on a daily basis remain the same, jews are the victims on a DAILY basis, while a black is the victim of a jewish crime- alomost never, yes, i do know about the "charles" incident and the story is not as simple as is being portrayed in the media, weather he threw stones at Jews or not, he did NOT have any pepper spray in his eyes, and he was hit ONCE, and MAYBE , just MAYBE, came away with a black and blue mark, (and remember, the patrol memebers who did this rather minor incident did not do this to rob him, did not do this to assault him, etc.. but rather beacuse he was or they thought he was throwing stones) so you CAN'NOT compare a (Jewish) community who is being assaulted on a daily basis with SERIOUS assaults, coming away with SERIOUS injuries, and or being ROBBED of thier posessions in the street, to a (Black) community who is NEVER robbed, shot and assaulted by the other (Jewish) community, excluding ONE incident thats right, ONE case, (compared to hundreds over the past couple of years on Jews), which was a MINOR incident, there was no VISCIOUS beating (if there was, it would be visible- dont fool yourself), and was intended (at least), to be in self defense, my point is, dont kid yourself, and dont fool youself, you know deep down that the sides here are NOT EQUAL as many of you portray that to be, stop playing your dirty games, we need a Jewish sharpton, who will tell it like it is!
I am sorry if i was too blunt, i just wanted to tell the situation LIKE IT IS, no twisted facts, i get along very well with my black neigbors, it's not them, it's those (mostly) YOUTH, you have got to control them, look, we are NOT perfect, your not perfect, NO humans are perfect, but common human decency is a MUST, we dont live in a jungle here, this is an organized as well as free society, and we ALL have to work and strive that it should be a SAFE society, SAFE for our children to walk outside at nite with out the threat of being assaulted or robbed.
So dearest NYPD, all we ask for is safety and security, no double standard, no extra, WE are the ones being constantly attacked and all we want is just to live in safety and in peace, just like everyone else, nothing more.
May the L-rd protect us, and bring peace upon all mankind.

mantic · May 2008

Subject: Re: What are the FACTS:

Outraged C H Resident wrote: As a Jewish resident of crown heights, let me clarify a few things. I personaly, and so do the majority of my neigbors, we all get along just fine with the avrage black man or woman, the tensions are not between Jews and Blacks, they are between the Jewish community and the NYPD, who we feel is not doing enough to protect our community from violent crime (yes, crimes commited by a wild minority of the black community).
We, and our children are getting mugged, beaten, robbed, assaulted, and harrased on a DAILY basis, there is no room for denial, all we want is safety, thats it, now dont start giving me stories about Jews attacking blacks, you know yourself, that these things just DONT happen, as a proof to this - find me one black child who is afraid to walk on the streets of crown heights beacause he is afraid of his jewish neigbors, this just does NOT exist, while OUR children are dead scared, why does that have to be, where does our tax dollars to pay to live in a safe society go to???
Now in regards to the isolated incident of Mr. Charles, a few facts are 100% being ignored by the media, first off, he attacked Jewish boy's by throwing rocks at them, so they chased after the perpetrator - unfortunately a very common scene in crown heights, they TRIED spraying him with pepper spray, but MISSED their target, next a few volunteer patrol members came out of a car and hit him ONCE, so after all he was NOT injured, and what happend here is just framed story of a boy who was supposedly "beaten" by jews, c'mon, stop the fabrications.
Jews are attacked by blacks on a daily basis, NOTHING is done, all of a sudden a black boy starts a crime gets caught and gets one blow which he definitely deserved for trying to do what he did, and wow do the police go up in arms, lets face reality already, who are the ones being attacked over here, and who are the ones acting in slf defense only trying to fend off daily attacks???
Again, we egt along very very fine with most of our black neigbors, it's the NYPD who we are demandingto protect us from these violent (mostly) youth.

I have to reply to you sir on a point. Please do not paint the jewish community over there as angels. If you are a long time resident of CH, then you will know what the original tension stemmed from here. You would know about all the nasty things that were done back in the 70's.
Show you one child who is afraid to walk in Crown Heights at night? The name Yusef ring a bell? Well the message was set and sent during my childhood. You didn't get caught alone on the other side of the parkway at night. You'd get your ass beat by the Jews, for free. I got caught up one night coming from a girls house on Montgomery. Five jews came out of no where and circled around me. Two tried to grab me from behind and it was on. After I punched my way out I ran like hell to the parkway. That is why the black men started traveling in groups through there with a vengence. They were tired of being targeted. I remember the police did nothing. Lest not talk about the white collar crimes against the blacks stealing their property. I know first hand of these things. I've lived these things. Am I bitter, hold a grudge. No. This is america, this is brooklyn. You deal with it and keep it moving.
I nor my people hate anyone. We don't target specific groups as we are targeted. We are simply trying to survive.

I also have been watching how you send your youth over there to Brower Park en mass and just take over. The other day when a school had taken over the park. When the black kids refused to give up the park "because the school had to use it". Next thing the scooter boys were over there inciting he could arrest people for not cooperating. Utter rediculous nonesense, to which I told the kids in question. That it was a public park, the scooter guy had no more authority to arrest anyone than they did. Another gentlemen told the other kids to let them use the park for a while. One kid told them it wasn't a problem, all they had to do was ask and not try and punk them.

This black kid that got beat up is only getting attention because his fathers position. The other kid, a damn shame. To me all this is B.S.

We all should be adults and stop using these kids as pawns in this stupid game of pride. It's one ball of earth, wind, water and fire. We all have to live here. We are all going to have to find a way to put all this aside, much bigger issues that will challenge us not as races, or nations, but as humanity.

Oh yeah, if you all are going to use that park, clean up you mess when you leave. One day some of your dudes dragged a mattress in the middle of the park in the night and set it on fire. Never quite figured that one out. Oh wait... last year I think it was a Jewish cat drove his car into the middle of the park and started doing doughnuts. Then he got out and started doing madonna vouge moves for a few minutes, then broke out. The funniest one was a about three young ones getting drunk in front of the liquor store break dancing. Dude was actually trying to spin on his head on the concrete. Thinking back, I hear you complaining about how the blacks attack the jews all the time and I see jews coming over here all the time in the night. Buying beer, loosies, drugs and sex. A friend used to have a store on Kingston that was open late and there were always Jews in there hanging out.

Let me tell you a lil something bout the cops and their efficent abilities. " " See in between the quotes there. Let's make some deductions here. Crime in neighborhoods is usually commited by the bad elements within that community. Those with a propensity for such behavior are probably well known to law enforcement due to probable numerous encounters for delinquent behavior. Why they don't round them up with charges that stick? I don't know. The po-po know who all the knuckle heads are all over. They just choose not to do anything. Just like the riots from back in the day. They waited till word got all through Brooklyn and let all the idiots gather up. They could have prevented that whole thing 10 minutes after the initial incident. They just set the stage after the crash, poured out the gas and just waited for the match to strike.

I think I have said enough in my ranting.

In the words of the infamous Rodney King - Cant we all just get along?

drkman · May 2008

First off I know nothing about whether Jewish People are naturally inclined to violence. As a Black resident of Crown Heights I know that I am not naturally inclined to violence and no one that I know is naturally inclined to violence. That is an insult to how I was raised and the morals that have been instilled into me. As the other poster stated, there have been incidents on both sides, and that is what is truly sad. Instead of uniting, it is still the Blacks do this and the Jewish do that. In any urban neighborhood where there are socio-economic issues, there is crime, regardless of the race. Jewish residents are no more immune to crime in this neighborhood then anyone else. Is crime being committeed by a segment of the Black population? Yes, it is. Who that element is, I have no clue. These kids could be coming from as far away as Dean or Bergen Street, Brownsville, East New York. They could be coming from another borough for all I know. They could be gang members. I don't know who they are but the police probably know who the troublemakers in the area are. And if they were from the immediate vicinity then members of the neighborhood should know.

You state you need an Al Sharpton. Why would that even be necessary? It does not appear that there is any lack of organization when something happens. The precint was pratically shut down when this incident happened due to the "protest" that occured there. And when an incident is investigated when a Jewish resident is involved it is basically stonewalled by the Jewish Community due to the idea that no one comes forward and answers questions to protect a member of the community.

Mr. Charles was hit by a nightstick, not punched but hit with a nightstick. That is a difference. Also when I first moved to Crown Heights, many of the older residents who lived there had a fear of the Jewish Community. Why, I don't know but the other poster who lived through those times was able to detail what he went through growing up in Crown Heights.

No fantasy thoughts here. I still have not seen Jewish residents getting mugged on a daily basis. If that is what is occuring and everyday someone comes up to you and talks about how another Jewish resident got mugged then that is messed up. I don't think that Jewish residents are getting mugged more than anybody else and the criminal element is what needs to be addressed, not the Blacks are attacking our poor, innoncent, never get into any kind of trouble, perfect youth.

As far as the police is concerned, it appears that the police are very receptive of the concerns of the Jewish community. When a holiday occurs, the police are out in force with the foot patrol to "protect" the Jewish residents. Just last night, as I was walking down Schenectady there was a police tower there between Crown and President. I am sure that is was constructed to help protect the residents of the neighborhood.

There are no "dirty" games being played by me. I am just detailing what I see in the community and I see things that are not correct on both sides. If you live in a different world then me, fine that is your world. I tend to not look and dwell on the negativity of things that occur in the area but the positive. We live in New York City, in Crown Heights (which is not considered the cream of the crop as far as neighborhoods are concerned in Brooklyn), but it is my neighborhood and if I was fearful of the neighborhood I would not live here.

Leave race out of it and address the problem of crime, that appears to be on the rise, in a lawful manner. The Jewish patrol has no more right then I do to take matters into their own hands and if you think they do not harrass other members of the community then that is a fallacy on your part, as the other poster has just detailed an incident that just occurred that could have escalated into something major for something that was minor and was resolved just by asking and not trying to take.

It is not a racial issue as every member of the community is affected by and concerned with crime. We all want to live in a peaceful area where the communities can get along and no one fears walking down the street. For that too occur, understanding and unity must occur as the community must unite to battle crime, report crime and see the perps arrested, regardless of who they are. That is what I am talking about, unity not division.

daver · May 2008

The NYPD will send more cops into Crown Heights in a bid to calm tensions between blacks and Jews in the Brooklyn neighborhood, sources told the Daily News.

Police presence in Crown Heights has been growing since Friday, when more than 200 Orthodox Jews marched to the 71st Precinct stationhouse.

The group rallied on behalf of 16-year-old Alon Sherman, who was pummeled and robbed of his bike by two black teens earlier in the day.

"The protesters randomly tried to stop at least one car full of black people. If police hadn't been there, it could have gotten nasty," said a police source who worked the demonstration.

Jews and blacks in Crown Heights have worked hard since then to get beyond the 1991 riots sparked by Gavin's death, Cato said Tuesday.

"But I am concerned now that the relationship has gotten to this low level so quickly," Cato said.

Cato drove past Friday's rally and called his friend Issac Abraham, a City Council candidate, to find out what the protest was about.

The two men met Tuesday to brainstorm ways to lessen the tension. "To me, it is very, very hot right now in Crown Heights," Cato said.

NY Daily - More cops for Crown Heights

daver · May 2008

drkman wrote: Leave race out of it and address the problem of crime, that appears to be on the rise, in a lawful manner. The Jewish patrol has no more right then I do to take matters into their own hands and if you think they do not harrass other members of the community then that is a fallacy on your part, as the other poster has just detailed an incident that just occurred that could have escalated into something major for something that was minor and was resolved just by asking and not trying to take.

From the article posted above:

Abraham, who is Jewish, said an influx of police was a good first step. If there are fewer crime victims, there are fewer opportunities for blame, he said.

drkman · May 2008

The Police presence is a good thing so that tensions do not escalate. And there are a lot of police on the street right now around by me. Realistically, I don't think the level of presence can be sustained for a long time but during this period, hopefully they will be able to catch some of the perps that are out there doing the crimes.

daver · May 2008

drkman wrote: The Police presence is a good thing so that tensions do not escalate. And there are a lot of police on the street right now around by me. Realistically, I don't think the level of presence can be sustained for a long time but during this period, hopefully they will be able to catch some of the perps that are out there doing the crimes.

The beginning of a long, hot summer?

mantic · May 2008

Here is my view behind all of this nonsense in the hood?
In the last year or so, the plans laid down by the Crown Heights Corporation, decades ago is coming to fruition. Although the regentrification has put a thorn in thier foot. So now, they have to reassert thier presence by creating this environment of racial tension using the media. The powers that be who control the police have bias against the blacks and jews, thus the lax performance in their duty to protect and serve.

The police may appear to give the jews some respect, but that is only because they know how organized they are and will cause drama in public and privately. They remember back in the day when they literally took over the station on Empire when one of theirs was arrested. (For what I don't remember right now.)

I am glad another poster brought up the don't snitch thing. Those cats are the originators of it. Riddle me this. How does a member of their security force face allegations fo misconduct and he does not step up. The community hides him. Where is the pressure to have the said security force to produce him?

To read one poster say that his community is under somewhat of a daily seige just dumb founds me. I see Jews and Blacks in Brower Park playing side by side and together all the time. Every so often I see them playing soccer together or touch foot ball together. Although, when them girls used to come through and sing them songs for hours, that was painful. One day I'll take pictures. During the fall last year they had a bunch of young males staying on Prospect bet brooklyn and new york and they were trooping back and forth through the Park all day and night. Wasn't nobody messing with them. Most of the hot heads around here who have been here for a minute know they don't mess with the Jews because they will come after you. In other words it's usually not worth the drama.
If there is a spike in crime over there, it is either: new knuckleheads in the neighborhood; knuckle heads from outside the hood; crime being attached to the wrong group or false flags.
I can only speak for what goes on on my side of the Parkway. However, I can't imagine how all this crime is going down on the other side with all the toy cops running around. It's not adding up using goyum math.
When I get into conversations with people about the Jewish community over the parkway, I often find myself defending them. I have a deep respect for them. They are one of the most organized and focused communities that I have encountered and I have traveled the world. Their only flaw is that little US over THEM thing, kinda kills the whole deal.
I am not mad at them at all. It's all about the Latinum.

drkman · May 2008

daver wrote: [quote=drkman]The Police presence is a good thing so that tensions do not escalate. And there are a lot of police on the street right now around by me. Realistically, I don't think the level of presence can be sustained for a long time but during this period, hopefully they will be able to catch some of the perps that are out there doing the crimes.

The beginning of a long, hot summer?

Appears to be that way but hopefully the only heat will be coming from the sun

whatchuwant · May 2008

In today's Post:

VIGILANTE SLAP
JEWISH GROUP 'OUTSIDE THE LAW': FOES
By PHILIP MESSING and CLEMENTE LISI

May 23, 2008 -- An Orthodox Jewish vigilante group, under fire in Brooklyn after one of its members attacked a black man, uses "Soviet-style tactics" and continues to operate "outside the boundaries of the law," critics said yesterday.

Shmira - which in Hebrew means "to protect" - has about 100 members who ride around Crown Heights in white and blue patrol cars that resemble NYPD vehicles.

The group, founded in 1968, has increasingly come under attack the last few weeks after one of its members, Yitzhak Shuchat, 25, allegedly attacked a 20-year-old black man with a stick on April 14.

Cops said Andrew Charles, the son of a police sergeant, was the victim of a bias attack.

Shuchat remains at large.

In a case some in the Jewish community claim was retaliation for the Charles assault, two black teens were busted yesterday for the brutal attack last Friday on Alon Sherman, 16.

Basean Parker, 14, was charged with assault and robbery for allegedly beating Sherman, then swiping his wallet, cellphone and bicycle. Cops said the attack was not a bias crime.

Namor Clarke, 16, was charged with robbery.

Investigators traced the stolen phone to Erickson Castillo, 29, who told cops he'd bought it from Parker.

Meanwhile, critics argue that Shmira is nothing but a gang.

In a recent interview with New York Jewish Week, Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes compared the group to the Bloods and Crips.

The blog "Who is Shmira" has put up postings from other Jews who claim the group uses "Soviet-style tactics."

"My father was jailed in Russia by people like [Shmira] . . . and I am not afraid of you, not now and not ever," read one message.

A police official who did not want to be identified said there were concerns that Shmira was "operating outside the boundaries of the law."

"Sometimes, they are helpful," the official said. "Most times, not."

daver · May 2008

today's Post wrote: In a case some in the Jewish community claim was retaliation for the Charles assault, two black teens were busted yesterday for the brutal attack last Friday on Alon Sherman, 16.

It isn't always about race. Or religion. Sometimes people get mugged in this area. Sorry about that.

drkman · May 2008

^^^So true. Sometimes people do get mugged and it is just that a mugging and nothing more. Based on the Daily News account this morning, one of the teens was from Fort Greene. It appears that due to community pressure the 2 teens will be charged as adults for this robbery but I am glad that the DA did not bow to pressure and label it a hate crime in which more penalties would be brought against these teens. It appears to have been a crime of opportunity committed by teenagers on a teenager. Not that the crime is less because of that but I fear that these kids will end up getting the maxium that they can get due to the spotlight being placed on them.

Article in Gothamist - Crown Heights Gets Angry and Ugly

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