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Ray Kelly Thanks Water Cannon-Using Firefighters With Cold Cuts
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 8, 2011
Modified Dec 8, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 8, 2011
Modified Dec 8, 2011
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How does the Police Commissioner show his appreciation for the Staten Island firefighters who used a water cannon to stop a rioting group who were beating up cops? By sending over "cold cuts, side salads and beverages" to Fire Engine Co. 158. Of course, lawyers for the arrested individuals aren't really impressed by the use of the water cannons: D. Andrew Marshall told the Staten Island Advance, "The last time I heard water cannons being used on unarmed citizens was the civil rights movement in the ’60s. That needs to be investigated post haste, starting with who authorized the use of a water cannon on unarmed citizens, kids."
The Tuesday afternoon clash allegedly occurred because dozens of people—most of them teens, but there were some in their 20s and 30s there—flocked to 83 Harbor Rd. to confront a 15-year-old girl who lived there. The girl and police sources claim that 19-year-old Angel Reyes was angry she refused to help him in a fight. And then chaos unfolded; from the Advance:
The mayhem started about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, when the group showed up at 83 Harbor Rd. to confront the girl and her family.
At one point, Angel Reyes lifted his shirt, revealing what looked like a black firearm, and told one of the girl’s relatives, “I’m gonna f--- you up!” court papers allege,
The girl’s family and several neighbors, including firefighters at nearby Engine 158, called 911.
Two officers, one male and one female, arrived, and when the male tried to arrest Concepcion, a melee broke out, according to court papers. Concepcion started resisting, and Xiomara Reyes lunged toward the officer, police allege.
The crowd erupted after that — both officers were knocked down, and Ms. Reyes repeatedly kicked the female officer in the back of her head, ultimately causing a concussion and other injuries, according to police. Ms. Pearson and Ms. Lugo did the same to the male, court papers allege.
By then, a firefighter from Engine 158 mounted the engine truck and let loose with its water cannon to disperse the crowd. Police backup arrived moments later.
There were multiple arrests, and Reyes was charged with gang assault, obstructing government administration and resisting arrest. A 15-year-old girl was arrested for allegedly hiding Reyes' BB gun. Reyes' father told the Advance "that while he doesn’t doubt his daughter [Xiomara] argued with and even cursed at police, she didn’t attack or kick the officers. Angel, he said, was wrongly fingered as the person who flashed a gun, suggesting that he might have been mistaken for another teen with the same first name."
Tagged
cold cuts
fdny
melee
nypd
Ray Kelly
riot
staten island
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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