[pbaj12]

Around 5AM on October 8, 2012 the NYPD received a 911 call from a volunteer security guard, Zlamy Trappler, 24, that a man was sleeping naked inside the lounge at ALIYA (Alternative Learning Institute for Young Adults) and refused to leave. ALIYA is a synagogue and outreach center for troubled youth in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Two officers, Luis A. Vega (24891) and Yelena Bruzzese (9139) from the 71st precinct arrived and woke the homeless man. The man, Ehud Haleavy, 21, explained to the officers that he had permission from Rabbi Feiglin to sleep there and has been for the last month without any issues. Rabbi Moishe Feiglin, a director at the youth outreach center confirmed that Haleavy had permission to stay overnight at the center. The officers say after waking Haleavy he resisted arrest and attacked the officers, causing one to have a sprained wrist. They then used force to subdue him.

The video contradicts the officers' statement. It does not show Haleavy striking either officer, though he does pull away from Officer Vega, using an arm to push off the officer and break free. After resisting arrest, Officer Vega repeatedly punches Haleavy while Officer Bruzzese used pepper spray and a baton on Haleavy. After minutes of beating Haleavy, thirteen other NYPD officers arrived and Haleavy is placed in handcuffs.

The security guard, Zlamy Trappler said, "I regret making the call. I should have let him sleep. It spiraled out of control."
Rabbi Feiglin said, “It was very painful to see one of our members being treated like that. It seemed like a senseless beating and we felt compassion for this young guy being beaten like that. We all need to have more compassion.”

Haleavy is charged with three misdemeanors: resisting arrest, obstruction and criminal trespass. He was issued violations for marijuana possession and harassment, court records show. He is also charged with a felony assault on a police officer, a charge that can carry a sentence of five years. He was jailed until Thursday, when his family posted his $1,500 cash bail or bond.

Officer Luis A. Vega has been placed on desk duty pending an investigation.


Members of the Aliya Congregation are calling upon the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office to immediately drop all charges against Ehud Halevy. They have started a petition at change.org to help.

[Kanda444]

shouldnt have resisted arrest... but still, the cop's actions were bullshit.

[pbaj12]

Yeah, I think more cops should figure out how to talk to people. It seems a lot of cops think if they tell someone to do something and the person disagrees, the only option is to use force. I think it should be like an eye for an eye thing, use an equal amount of force they are giving to you. I guess the good thing about not being able to escape cameras is it might help you out if you're a victim.

[Kanda444]

Originally Posted by pbaj12 ↗

Yeah, I think more cops should figure out how to talk to people. It seems a lot of cops think if they tell someone to do something and the person disagrees, the only option is to use force. I think it should be like an eye for an eye thing, use an equal amount of force they are giving to you. I guess the good thing about not being able to escape cameras is it might help you out if you're a victim.

i agree but i think when people work at a job for a long time, they tend to become desensitized to their work environment... so, just like the small things at work piss most of us off, attitude from a punk has got to make a cop irate. doesnt excuse the behavior but i think it's an issue we dont really talk about much.

[DiamondSmiles]

I was just going to post the Petition. I see you got it!

Ridiculous! The victim looked like he was going to put his hands behind his back several times. Looks like his mistake was pushing the male cop, pissing him off.

[Darkest Angel]

Security guard just noticed after that many nights?

[Hvergelmir]

The cop was looking for an excuse to beat the guy.
Look at his stance right before he throws the first punch, after the guy is clearly not interested in a physical altercation.

[Illusion]

He should have double legged him.

[Sharon]

Fault on both sides but by far mostly by the police. I imagine in their line of work it's too easy to take matters way too far. They get so much grief - I've seen it - but they should remain professional, not resort to bullish tactics.

[DiamondSmiles]

Assuming the police know the place is for troubled or at risk youths, I would think they would have handled things differently.

They should have contacted the rabbi or someone in charge to confirm or deny the man's story before doing anything. He may have been handcuffed at that point, but, they woke the guy up.

How many of us are at full consciousness when we open our eyes? The man seemed to be well behaved and answering questions.