Four Bachurim accused of harassing a Klarr bus driver, were detained at Police Headquarters after the bus driver told police she felt threatened, and now parents are considering legal action, TLS has learned. The incident occurred Tuesday evening on Forest Avenue when the woman called police and claimed she felt threatened by the Bachurim’s racial slurs.
Upon arrival, after questioning the bus driver and the Bachurim, police decided to detain the Bachurim with “probable cause”, Police Chief Rob Lawson tells TLS.
After that decision, one of the police officers reportedly placed one of the minors in cuffs, an official tells TLS. However, another officer objected to that and had him removed from the cuffs the official said.
The Bachurim were then taken to headquarters and questioned by police, and were released to their parents a short time later.
However, parents of the minors are considering legal action against the bus company TLS has learned, after the driver of the bus reportedly told the children that they would not be let off at their stops, which an official tells TLS, “that borders kidnapping”.
Meanwhile, because the woman is black, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), has gotten involved, Lawson tells TLS.
“I’m not taking any sides right now”, Lawson says.
Askonim, local officals as well as attorneys are heavily involved in the case. TLS.
While it was clearly very rude and I had a talk with my son telling him to stay away from such activity, I doubt the driver felt “threatend..unsafe..in danger” , and none of the officials has the guts to say get a life.
I used to go on Klarr busses and we had an african american female driver who used to stop on Forest and Carey st to call the principal for nothingg. She used to threaten to call police as well I can`t recall her name but i think she worked for Murphy`s in the past.
just wondering were they charged with anything? Why were they placed in handcuffs originally??
a police officer placing a juvinille in cuffs? racial remarks similar to klu klux remarks from a jew (app.com) – sounds and smells fishy.
this bus driver had previous complaints against her -yet the BOE did not know. – How many times we have called the BOE and they say ‘they will look into it’ and never see results or even a call back to notify you that some action was taking place.
The boys should appoligize and the parants should speak to there children don’t make the driver wrong when your kid does something wrong
Yes the boys wee wrong for/if htey said things they shouldnt have… But it is up to the adult to make sure to respond in a professional manner. If you cant take working with kids…. dont drive a bus.
I like your approach. You know nothing about what happened but the CHILDREN for sure on in the wrong?
This headline reads as if it says- ‘The parents (of 4 bocherim) were arrested!
WOW a typical minority crying racism against another typical minority that cries racism… this should be interesting.
I have been behind buses with Bachurim and they were less then polite. They were making foul, not fowl hand gestures to me. I’ve seen them throwing things at cars, acting out and doing all the things public school kids do. Don’t think that kids are perfect. It is not good to pretend that nothing is wrong. It does no good for Bachurim to grow up like that.
Don’t blame the victim, the driver.
Wow, if the “shoe was on the other foot.” Unbelievable, however, expected. Thank you #5 and #7.
Did it ever occur to you that maybe the Bachurim might be to blame, maybe they taunted the driver to death? Kids have been known to do that.
Legal action? Parents, control your kids and stop thinking they’re perfect and things like this won’t happen.
Why we all defending the kids? Our precious little angels cant do anything wrong? Was it that long ago that we ourselves were on buses? We know how kids act!
I think diversity training in our high schools is long overdue. the disgusting racism that exists in some parts of the community is a badge of shame and affects the world’s perception of bnei Torah in a terrible way. I don’t know the specifics of whether in this case they used racial epithets but let’s be real – too many teens use it as freely as if they were gangsta rappers, talking to the boyz in da hood.
Train them for a life in the mamleches kohanim, not the street rabble some of them resemble in their derogatory and dismissive speech.
KKK because the police put cuffs on the kid really? Do you know how the kids were acting maybe just maybe they were out of control and needed to be restrained. Wait is that possible for BOYS to act there age and be a fresh? Just because you are a certain religion does not mean your behavior will always be perfect.
what a beautiful way to make a kiddush hashem. (sic)
Amazing when something doesn’t go your way you cry anti semitism when someone does something thats from the community you cry they are victims. Nothing will ever change if you don’t stop pointing the finger at someone else
Make the kids walk to school at 15 what are they doing taking a bus anyway?
Used to walk 11/2 miles to & from when I was in high school
if the kids were not on busses this would not have happened. Get rid of all bussing except for k through 6
Just imagine how much money you would save in taxes. Let these busses and drivers go work in another town
I think its irrelevent if the driver is right or wrong for her actions.
Bottom line is that the kids were rude. They should apologize and this will blow over.
Its a good lesson for all our children
Just like anti-gun nuts claim, “Dont blame the idiot thats misusing the gun, just blame the gun. if we had no guns, crimes wouldn’t happen” SO HERE GOES:
‘BLAME THE WORDS!! WE SHOULD OUT-LAW SUCH LANGUAGE!
WE NEED TO CREATE PERMITS, AND ONLY POLICE OFFICERS CAN BE ABLE TO USE SUCH WORDS OUTSIDE THE HOME!’
(actually im kidding)
but in all seriousness- anyone who thinks their little angles are not causing trouble(like all kids do!!) are living a blind, unrealistic life. Those same parents obviously are not paying attention, and are not parenting their kids- and are relying on a hire being to be the parent… those kids need to (moderated).
No way should yeshiva buchirim have to ride with a lady bus driver late at night. i complained many times to the yeshivas that the last boy going off the bus might have a Halachic Sheilah of Yichud
discipline in our times has gone below the limits . years back,chutzpah was not tolerated .in my cheder the principal had a wooden paddle! any chutzpah problems (even to a freier English teacher) you had to bend over the desk & the paddle took effect ! and believe me ,once was enough
The bachurim were wrong and should be disciplined by their parents and yeshiva
But the LPD is out of control and this is not the first time they’ve acted out of control with regards to buchrim. They arrested TT buchrim for engaging in a snowball fight??!!
If Langert let’s five go we’d all be in better shape! I hope he does!
The bachurim were wrong. But the LPD is out of control and this is not the first time theyve acted out of control with regards to bachrim. They arrested TT buchrim for engaging in a snowball fight??!!
If Langert let’s five go we’d all be in better shape!
As in every story put to print, this story is an only partially true. No boys were arrested. No one was charged.
An anti semitic bus driver, who in notorious for telling boys such things a “Hitler was right” or going over to an overweight boy and telling him, “you are nothing but a fatso” has now extended her hatred.
On this particular run, the driver took a different route, he forced boys to exit from the bus more than a mile from their stop. She was angry at the last boys on the bus for not listening to her and getting off 3/4 of a mile from their home, so she called the police and made up a story.
Today the driver is being charged with kidnapping, endangering the welfare of minors, recklass endangerment, Bias crimes, etc.
The bus company and the Board of Education that have been aware of the bus drivers behavior for the past years and have never done anything about it, and continued to let her drive, are being named in aseperate law suit.
UH
Have you seen what 15 year olds look like these days??
These aren’t children…and while I have no idea what went on, 5 or 6 strapping 15 year olds can be quite intimidating.
#22… their are laws for reasons. Let those in Law Enforcement handle it. There should be no special treatment just like there is none for any other minors.
the boys should (moderated)!! then we will talk about whats fair! I f my parents heard me speak or talk about someones religon or color, i would be dead. unfortantly there are to many conservative people here today we cant ” old school” our children anymore. thats why this country is falling apart! LPD great job as always!!!
11:37 am your comment was 100% true! she is a very rude and nasty driver and gets angry for no reason. She most probably fabricated this story.She won’t get away with this because we have enough complains about her that could keep you going for ever!
are you saying you and your child deny that such comments were made? did anyone use the “N” word? did they stand behind her and could she have been intimidated? I agree with your instinct to protect your child, but don’t confuse the issue of this incident. and please please please don’t say “she deserved it”.
I used to drive young boys to and from school and they sometimes were quite fresh. However I did not take it personally and I just ignored all their remarks. These kids were only about 5 or 6. I can imagine the juveniles in this case were older and their chutzpa was somewhat worse. Children should be taught that it is a privilege to get bus service and they should show respect to their bus drivers no matter what color or religion. Otherwise they shouldn’t be allowed bus service. It isn’t easy concentrating on driving safely and having a bus load of rowdy kids making comments behind you. It’s a matter of safety and chilul Hashem.
to Outraged resident says
Are you implying that you are above the Law??
It seems as though you think that your kids can do no wrong ,
you are setting a very poor example for these teenagers ,they now think that its OK to disrespect others who are different than them ,the very same issue that you complain about when its the other way arround!!
Driving around this town is dangerous enough. Why are these boys having any dialogue with this bus driver at all. Her job is to get these boys back and forth to school. There should be no getting out of thier seats, there should be no back and forth with the bus driver and at 15, a boy should know it takes a man to turn the other check if someone says something inapropriate to them let them take it to thier parents and or teachers. Children should never be confronting adults. You have 1 adult and how many boys. She’s outnumbered. I hope these boyes were taught what it means to lie. A man is only as good as his word and if he lies hes not a good man. These boys need to “man up” and tell the truth.
if the things you are saying are true, why hasnt she been arrested yet? or even charged? the article clearly states “Upon arrival, after questioning the bus driver and the Bachurim, police decided to detain the Bachurim with “probable cause”, Police Chief Rob Lawson tells TLS.”
why were they detained if it was all fabricated? its not very nice to point fingers at the victim when you clearly have no knowledge of what really happed..(or did you get your version of events from one of your little darlings that were one of the kids involved..?)
you dont have to know everything #3 it doesnt say for a reason
why are my posts always left in moderation
I am saying the boys should be puniched. But the LPD has no idea how to interact normally with people.
This would have ever happened if he had only Frum drivers period.
& women should not be allowed.
This is USA , drive them ur self if u have a problem with Goyish drivers & women drivers.
Just wondering if there could be a spell check option before submitting comments so some of us wouldn’t cringe reading.
#39, if you don’t like it DRIVE THEM YOURSELF! I am a WOMAN and I have NEVER tolerated this kind of behavior. I have a few simple rules for riding my bus and if they don’t like it then they don’t have to ride it, and let me tell you something else, ALL kids are disrespectful to some degree but when I’m told by a primary that they do not have to listen to me because my parents said I don’t have to listen to a goyim that really gets my dander up, you supposed to teach your children ( like I taught mine) that they are to RESPECT adults no matter what color, race or religious beliefs.
To #39 Anonol: WHAT! “This would have ever happened if he had only Frum drivers period. & women should not be allowed.” What school did you go to; and what country do you think you live in. What does “this would have EVER happend mean?
to Anonol says:
December 17, 2010 at 3:06 pm
This would have ever happened if he had only Frum drivers period.
& women should not be allowed
Thats discrimination !
where have you been for the last fifty years?
thats it blame the victim , not the kids who need some better parenting
Why don’t you drive your kids to school that would solve the problem
I followed a bus full of younger boys west on County Line yesterday afternoon about 4:00. There were 4 or 5 of them standing at the back window pointing at me and making gestures, and others were sitting up on the back of the seats, or standing on the seats. I was angry at the driver for not making the kids sit down and be safe, and when I pulled up beside the bus to turn left onto Forest, I asked her what company she worked for, and she refused to tell me. There was nothing written on the side of the bus, but it was clearly marked (moderated) on the back. It was a new bus, and the woman looked possibly hispanic to me.
Parents, is it ok for your children to stand on the bus when it’s moving, much less 4 or 5 leaning on the emergency exit at the back of the bus? Sit down and tell your children the proper way to behave in the world. Yesterday, it was snowing and icing. If the bus had skidded or hit something, one of those children could have been hurt, or if one of the ones leaning on the back door had accidently released the latch, they all would have been on the hood of my car. While I think the drivers need to have control over the kids, it’s also on the parents to make sure their children RESPECT the driver, even if he/she is not Jewish.
Acted Out Of Control???? are you kidding me just because your jewish and suppose to be good and great and four teens are telling an african american bus driver about the KKK that is racial slurs and harassment and is punishable teach them a lesson to respect elders im sure the bus driver would have no problem with the kids sitting in their seats with their mouths shut but i bet that they are roudy and are a safety hazard to the entire bus!!!
holding postings in moderation shows your intolerance for differance of oppinions , seems to be a little discrimination here !
everyone one needs to grow ap and get a life! aww…de kid said something mean..waa!
If this is true,the boys should be punished. It should be investigated though,if the claims about this driver are true. As for the comment stating “she probably would have no problem if they sat in their seats with their mouths shut”-have you ever seen kids/teens on a bus?? I have,I’ve also had gestures made to me. And btw it was by Non-Jewish kids. So did I get the ADL involved? How mant times did I have racial slurs yelled at me by black AND whites? What can I do? A Jew will be hated wherever we are,no matter what we do. Excuses can always be found but at the end of the day,the Jew will be hated.
These boys should be punished if it is true but I think the driver possibly overreacted. I’d also love to know how many of the commenters about racism practice what they preach when it’s the other way around. How may times have you muttered “dirty Jew”…or the likes? How many of you have replied to the vile and Anti-Semitic comments and posts that are regularly found on other local sites or YouTube? Or is it only wrong when it’s a Jewish boy yelling at a black?
BTW this is a bus company owned by african americans and for some odd reason they only hire african american drivers!!
I think that if true, these boys must be punished and educated about racial tolerance. One question I do have; had this story been the other way around, would it have also merited having a story in the APP?? I somehow doubt it.
i have 3 childern on this drivers route. she is always screaming at them for no reason.she makes up new rules, kicks kids off the bus for no reason. she closed the doors one of my daughters friends , and her earrings got stuck. when ever we complain the complaints get dropped , because she is african-american. the reason the boys got upset at her was because she was acting like herself and dropped the boys on a freezing cold night 10 blocks away from their house.
To a parent of childrn on her bus says:
pointing at other bad behavior does not make it acceptable for the behavior of these teenagers , stop making excuses for them they will never learn to be respectful.
In general, from what I hear from my boys, behavior on the bus is atrocious! There is fighting and intimidation going on between them…. my little son who is now the oldest on the bus proudly told me “now we are the boss on the younger boys… whoa do some kids use their power”… And I am NOT happy to hear that – even though my son is not being victimized or intimidated this year.
Something is wrong with this picture.
I think there is a lack of emphasis on Middos… and I WISH I had some ideas… or better yet, people in leadership positions had some ideas how to instill in our children RESPECT for others, older, younger and same age…
#50, that company that you speak of does NOT just hire African Americans , look next time at ALL the drivers before making stating non facts.
The bottom line is:
if this driver had complaints against her in the past shame on the bus company for her allowing to continue this route. If the BOE was aware of this prior shame on the BOE. We must all work together to rid Lakewood of issues like this in the future. Children aren’t perfect they make mistakes that’s why they are called children. These children are being called out because they are Jewish. If the colors were changed you would not be reading about this.
In addition, we all need to work together to rid lakewood of the gang elements, the daily shootings and all other gang related issues.
which yeshiva were they from? just wanna take that off my list of places i would send my sons.
It’s sad that so many are turning against the victim on this issue. Apparently, the Yeshivas and Frum need to look at their education objectives and parenting skills. The police apparently feel there is a problem with the boys behavior. That’s enough to cause concern. If parents or Rabbi’s are teaching children that they need not obey non-Jews, they are doing their children and students a disservice. If they defend them when they have misbehaved, they are doing them a disservice. The community should make this a learning experience and turn it into something positive by teaching their children to be civil, well behaved citizens.
Sorry, we have no proof that the boys did anything except the word of a woman who has many complaints against her, and whom many people are trying to get fired from her job. Even if she did not do what they claim she did, she still has every reason to try and protect herself. We should be skeptical enough of this story to withold judgement until the facts come out.
I wonder if other parents of children on that bus would question their children and either confirm or deny what occurred. The police apparently had enough information to determine there was a problem with the boys.
WE ARE HASHEMS CHOSEN NATION HOW CAN WE SIT AND POINT FINGERS? LOOK INTO OURSELVES AND TEACH OUR CHILDREN THE FUTURE OF KLAL YISROEL HOW CAN WE GROW AND BETTER OURSELVES FROM STORIES LIKE THIS!
quote “Meanwhile, because the woman is black, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), has gotten involved, Lawson tells TLS.”
Good for her, who else is going to stand up for her? not any officials in this town !
Im sure the parents must be very proud of their sons. I wonder how the parents and boys would feel if they were surrounded by African Ameri cans yelling racial slurs at them. Instead of law suits they should be asking for forgjvness and teach their children how to behave properly.
TO bus, boys & bad behavior says:
Quote “people in leadership positions had some ideas how to instill in our children RESPECT for others, older, younger and same age…”
Hello thats the parents responsibility