A Spitting Incident in Brooklyn Sparks Hate Crime Arrest

Nicholas Jones, 40, is accused of spitting on a 16-year-old Hasidic boy near Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. in Crown Heights around 5:50 p.m. on October 22.

Incident Details

• The teen was wearing traditional Hasidic clothing, including a black hat, which was hit by the spit.
• Jones was caught after his probation officer recognized him from surveillance photos released by the police.
• He lives in East New York and has a history of assault charges.

Criminal Background

• Jones was arrested in July for a misdemeanor assault in Manhattan.
• He is on probation for a previous assault with a weapon conviction in Florida.

Victim's Response

• The teen went home and told his mother.
• His mother then called her mother, Devorah Halberstam, an activist known for her work against hate crimes.
• Devorah's son, Ari Halberstam, was tragically killed in an anti-Semitic attack in 1994.

1994 Attack Background

• Rasheed Baz shot and killed Ari Halberstam.
• Baz claimed he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and thought the students in the van were a threat.
• He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 141 years in prison.
• Two men who helped Baz hide the car were given probation.

Ongoing Issue of Hate Crimes

• This recent incident highlights the ongoing issue of hate crimes.
• Such acts have real consequences and can deeply affect communities.
• The arrest of Nicholas Jones is a step towards justice, but the fight against hate crimes continues.