New Square confrontation draws police
By STEVE LIEBERMAN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 21, 2004)
Police yesterday were still trying to figure out what caused a confrontation between several Monsey men and some New Square residents outside a yeshiva that brought members of two police departments into the village last weekend.
The details of Sunday night's dispute remained sketchy, even after police interviewed the people involved and witnesses, Ramapo police Lt. Brad Weidel said yesterday.
No charges were filed, though police confiscated a BB gun from a car.
Six Monsey men apparently went into New Square to speak with the principal of the yeshiva at 100 Roosevelt Ave., Weidel said. One of the men believed harassing telephone calls from the school were being made to his home and his wife, Weidel said.
Dozens of New Square residents gathered in the street, with many of them surrounding the six Monsey men.
Police were called about a fight.
"When the officers arrived, there was a crowd of people around the six Monsey men," Weidel said. "There was no sign of a fight. There was no indication in the officers' presences of any crimes being committed."
Because of the size of the crowd, the responding officer called for backup, bringing Lt. Jerry Bakker, another Ramapo officer and three Spring Valley officers into New Square, a community with one entrance and exit off Route 45. Six officers went to the scene outside 100 Washington Ave.
At some point, one of the Monsey men was accused of "waving a gun," Weidel said. The Monsey men denied the accusation.
Police detained two people for questioning and later let them go.
Police found a BB gun in a car driven by one of the Monsey men, Weidel said.
"We don't know if they showed the gun," Weidel said. "No one would sign a complaint for menacing. We confiscated the BB gun in case someone wanted to sign a complaint."
Weidel said that any time police receive a call about a fight and come across a large group of people, backup is called and a supervisor comes to the scene.
He also said it was not uncommon for people to decline to give witness statements, even though New Square and parts of Monsey are close-knit communities to begin with. He said it was also possible nothing criminal happened before police arrived.
"It looks like something happened," Weidel said. "As far as any crime is concerned, the officers didn't see anyone violate the law and no one signed any charges. It is not uncommon for people not to step forward."
Reach Steve Lieberman at
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[email protected] or 845-578-2443.
