First report: Chaos erupted at a funeral in Boro Park today and one person was arrested.
The levayah had been scheduled earlier with the NYPD, which closed off 43rd Street to prevent attendance by anyone but family members, a source with the NYPD told Matzav.com. One individual was arrested for violating the social distancing order and entering the area that was cordoned off without permission. The arrested individual was let go a short time letter with a desk appearance ticket.
A large representation of NYPD officers was present, but they apparently let chaos rule after opening the street to permit the hearse to depart. The disturbing scene that ensued was captured on video.
The tumult came just a day after beleaguered New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio threatened the Jewish community that social distancing will be enforced. That threat, in turn, came in the aftermath of the levayah of Rav Chaim Mertz zt”l, where dozens of Jews in Williamsburg gathered to be melaveh the meis.
Tens of officers patrolled the streets of Williamsburg today, ostensibly at the behest of the mayor, handing out fines to those without masks and shutting down shuls and other places people were gathered, even when maintaining the appropriate distancing rules.
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