Tensions between the African American and Jewish communities of Crown Heights in Brooklyn began to escalate in 1991, when a Hasidic Jewish driver hit a young black boy with his car, killing him.
In 2008, nearly 17 years after the Crown Heights race riots, the Brooklyn neighborhood is once again dealing with racial tension.
Rising Tensions
The recent increase in tensions began on April 14, 2008 when a fight broke out between Andrew Charles, a 20 year old black man, and a group of white men, allegedly members of the Shmira. Charles was sprayed with pepper spray and hit on the back with a stick as he tried to run away.
In early May, black teenagers threw rocks at the bus of a Jewish elementary school and then, on May 16, a Jewish boy, Alon Sherman, was beaten an robbed by two black teenagers.
The incident sparked a protest by over 300 members of the Jewish community that blocked traffic on several streets.
While violent crimes in the neighborhood are down this year, biased crimes have increased, worrying police and city officials that large scale conflicts could erupt again.
An expanded police force has been placed in Crown Heights as a precaution.
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References
Fast Facts
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Tensions began with a 1991 car accident
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Jewish community often refuses to cooperate with police investigations
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Claim that unusually severe measures are taken when Jews are suspects
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Expanded police force has been deployed as a precaution
