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Hikind seeks probe into Vermont incident that targeted Brooklyn hasidic family

September 7, 2017 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Assemblymember Dov Hikind. Photo courtesy of Assemblymember Hikind’s office
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Assemblymember Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park-Midwood) is calling on Vermont Gov. Phil Scott to investigate an incident that targeted a Hasidic Jewish family from Brooklyn who were traveling through Vermont.

Rabbi Berl Fink, 60, and his wife Blimie Fink, a Brooklyn school principal, were traveling with their two children on Monday evening, Aug. 7, when they were pulled over by a state trooper. According to Hikind’s office, “The officer pointed a gun at family members, including a minor, and proceeded to roughly handcuff each family member in turn.”

After about 20 minutes, the trooper let them go, saying he had to respond to a more urgent matter. The assemblyman said he is “deeply troubled that it may have been a bias incident prompted by their [Hasidic] mode of dress.”

A press release from the Vermont State Police, however, tells a slightly different story. “On 08-08-17, at approximately 0009 hours, the Vermont State Police initiated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle driven by Berl Fink for a motor vehicle violation,” the report reads.

“When signaled to stop with flashing emergency lights and sounding siren, Fink failed to do so. Fink was cited and released on a Citation for Attempting to Elude.”

Regardless, the Finks filed a complaint the next day. According to Hikind, “They spoke with Sgt. Lyle Becker, who told them the incident occurred because the trooper thought Mr. Fink was drunk and had been weaving between lanes, yet no breathalyzer test was administered at the scene. The sergeant also told the Finks that they had been speeding, yet no speeding ticket was issued.

“My constituents’ dress made it clear that they were Hasidic Jews, a sight that may be uncommon in Vermont but one that is hardly a crime,” said Hikind.

 

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