NYPD Officer Suspended Over
Brooklyn Street Festival Arrests
A New York City Police
Department officer has been stripped of his badge after a chaotic confrontation
between police and food vendors at the end of a street fair in Brooklyn over
the weekend.
Amateur video was taken Sunday
following the 5th Avenue Street Fair in Sunset Park.
According to police, officers
told vendors to leave the area so the street could be reopened, but some
vendors refused.
Five people were arrested on
charges of resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.
Speaking to reporters Thursday,
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said the video has already led to one
officer's suspension.
"I was very concerned with
a video that was taken and the actions of one of our officers who was seen
kicking an individual," said Bratton. "As best I could tell looking
at that video it seemed to be totally unprovoked. That officer has been
suspended and in terms of suspension in this department that means he's been
relieved of his gun, his badge and his police duties."
Bratton said internal affairs
is continuing to investigate.
He also said the precinct will
probably host a community town hall in the next few days.
Residents have claimed to NY1
that Latinos and Hispanics in the neighborhood are subject to a pattern of
harassment from the NYPD