The NY Daily News reports that the NYPD is investigating a Youtube video that shows a cop dumping water on a grill at a sidewalk cookout — and sparking angry words from Harlem residents.
In the one-minute video posted by a man calling himself “Israelite,” an officer from the 28th Precinct pours a jug of water on the coals.
The video was called “Racist cop pours water on cookout grill and denies black children of food.”
Here’s the video:
“That’s some real disrespect and s—, B,” one of the sidewalk barbecuers says, appearing to accuse the officer of “wilding.”
“There’s kids out here and everything, boss,” another says as a group of children pass by.
“Feel better?” a third says.
Someone throws what appears to be ice cubes at the officer. Later, someone throws a water bottle that hits the police officer in the back.
The officer goes to his car to leave before the video ends. The confrontation appears to have happened over the weekend.
“The commanding officer of the 28th Precinct has been made aware of the video and is conducting an investigation,” the NYPD said.
The cop likely was well within the law. James Long, an FDNY spokesman, said open flames are prohibited under the city’s fire code because of the inherent safety issues they present.
Barbecue grills cause more than 1,500 structural fires and 4,200 outdoor fires a year, the department said.
The post drew a variety of reactions, not all of them kind to the people barbecuing.
“It’s illegal for a good reason,” wrote one. “No one should have a BBQ in the middle of a city sidewalk … Those cops told you all repeatedly to stop it. What gives you special privilege? You should have been fined.”
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