Upper West Side resident Kang Chun Wong was arrested on January 21st, when he allegedly crossed W. 96th Street at Broadway against the light. As he only speaks Cantonese and Spanish, he didn’t understand why Officer Jeffrey Loo took his ID and began to walk away. He protested. The Daily News explains:
Loo, joined by several more unidentified cops, pushed Wong up against a building wall trying to handcuff him, then knocked him to the pavement where he struck the back of his head and blacked out.
The 84-year-old man sustained head wounds and had to get stitches. He is also experiencing memory loss and, according to his son Wei Wong, “He’s still traumatized. Just crossing the street, he’s afraid of cops coming up from behind and arresting him.” Today, the elderly man suing the city for $5 million.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton did not publicly criticize the cops, but issued a memo urging police to “use discretion” when dealing with elderly or handicapped jaywalkers.
Wong was also charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, but was not prosecuted. (Lead: @baltimoredave)
