Could an Interpreter Have Prevented NYPD Officers From Bloodying an 84-Year-Old Jaywalker?

(Shutterstock)

New York police officers roughed up an 84-year-old Chinese man with limited English proficiency on Sunday during a misunderstanding over a jaywalking ticket, the New York Post reports .

Kang Wong was crossing a street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side when a police officer stopped and ticketed him for jaywalking. A scuffle ensued, and an officer sent Wong to the hospital with cuts on his face. The altercation received a fair amount of media attention and public outcry. Several writers took the chance to note the absurdity of targeting jaywalkers, over drivers, to curb pedestrian fatalities.

Yet Wong’s police encounter raises another question: whether officers took the proper steps to ensure Mr. Wong, a native Cantonese speaker, understood why he was stopped in the first place. Wong’s son told the Post, “He didn’t even understand what jaywalking means, to be quite honest.” A witness account of the incident sheds more light:

The guy didn’t seem to speak English. The cop walked him over to the Citibank. [The officer] stood him up against the wall and was trying to write him a ticket. The man didn’t seem to understand, and he started walking away. The cop tried to pull him back, and that’s when he began to struggle with the cop. As soon as he pushed the cop, it was like cops started running in from everywhere.

NYPD policy instructs officers to “provide timely and meaningful access for LEP (Limited English Proficiency) persons” to interpretation services when feasible.According to the department’s Language Access Plan, all officers receive training to “obtain interpretation services as necessary,” and every patrol supervisor is given a cell phone “programmed to provide access to language interpretation services to members in the field.”

Amy Taylor, coordinator of the Equal Rights Initiative at Legal Services NYC, tells The Nation that this policy is hardly ever “practiced in the street.”

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“Many people with limited English proficiency who come in contact with the police are denied interpreters. So they’re unable to file police reports, make complaints and otherwise communicate with police officers,” said Taylor, who has represented LEP New Yorkers.

Speaking with reporters, New York police commissioner Bill Bratton called Mr. Wong’s case an “unfortunate circumstance,” adding that he’s “not aware of excessive force in that at all.”

Wong’s family says they plan to press charges against the officers involved.

Michael Schumacher latest news on skiing accident, coma

22 JANUARY 2014 Michael Schumacher 's family have thanked the retired Formula One star's fans for their support, as fears grow that he may be in a persistent vegetative state.

The father-of-two, who has been in an induced coma for four weeks following a skiing accident in France, may "never make a full recovery," according to new reports.

Michael's family have insisted that "he is a fighter" and wrote an emotional note on the former F1 world champion's official website.

"We are deeply touched by all the messages to get well soon for Michael, which still are being sent," said the statement. "That gives us strength. Thank you all so much! Thank you to the Fanclub in Kerpen, to 1. FC Köln and Schalke 04 but also to everybody else and other fan groups who are supporting Michael. We all know he is a fighter and will not give up!"

Photo: © Getty Images

Recent reports have speculated that Michael has had permanent brain damage and may be suffering from apallic syndrome, or persistent vegetative state. This would mean Michael would live in a state of partial arousal rather than complete awareness.

Michael was put in a medically-induced coma just before New Year to relieve pressure on his brain, and most patients are usually kept in such comas for a maximum of two weeks. If doctors did manage to bring him out of the coma, Michael would still be unable to speak, move or feed himself.

Photo: © Getty Images

"More than three weeks after the tragic skiing accident of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, fears grow that he will never make a full recovery," reported Austrian news website format.at.

"Every day, every week in a coma the chances decline that the situation is improving," added Jean-Marc Orgogozo, professor of neurology at the University of Bordeaux.

Michael, who is married to German-born Corinna and is father to Gina Maria and Mick, was with his teenage son at the time of the accident. The seven-time F1 champion was taken to hospital after he hit his head on a rock while skiing off-piste in Meribel.

Six Documents Everyone Should Have to Protect Their Finances

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Sorry, we have to. It's not the most exciting topic, but you can't call yourself fully protected if you don't have your critical paperwork done. Below are the six things you need to have under control.P

This post originally appeared on LearnVest . Reprinted from the book "Financially Fearless: The LearnVest Program for Taking Control of Your Money," by Alexa von Tobel.P

Beneficiary FormsP 

Related

A beneficiary form lets you indicate whom you would like money to be transferred to upon your death —even if you don't have a will. If you have any of the following account types, you've likely filled this out already: a 401(k) or retirement accounts through work, life insurance policies, IRAs, annuity accounts, and 529 college savings accounts. If you're married, it's common to list your spouse as your beneficiary (and if you want to do otherwise, you may be required to have your spouse sign off on that). This saves you money because it keeps your assets out of probate court.P

What to do: Ask for a copy of your beneficiary form for each account and make sure it's properly filled out. Save your own copy.P

TOD/POD InstructionP 

TOD (transfer on death) and POD (payable on death) are other ways you can transfer assets to a beneficiary without a will. TODs are typically used for any brokerage accounts that do not have a beneficiary form in place, and PODs are for bank accounts (like your checking and savings). Having these forms allows you to avoid probate even if your financial situation does not yet require a full-blown will or trust.P

What to do: Make sure all accounts that do not have a beneficiary form have a TOD or POD instruction in place.P

Living WillP 

Related

A living will lets you communicate your medical preferences to your loved ones .This is awful to think about, but it helps simplify any tough decisions your family and friends may have to make if something happens to you. A living will includes naming your health-care proxy—the person responsible for carrying out your living will. We recommend choosing a loved one or even an unbiased adviser who can remain neutral.P

What to do: Staying in control of your health-care decisions is a powerful tool, so make sure you have an up-to-date living will.P

Power of AttorneyP 

This document gives someone else the right to make decisions for you (if you're no longer able to). It can cover both legal affairs and health-care decisions.P

What to do: A power of attorney is recommended once you're married, but even if you're single, it's something to consider if you may be in a situation where someone will have to act on your behalf.P

Last Will and TestamentP 

Related

A will guides the court in making decisions for you after your death and helps ensure that your wishes come to fruition. It's a critical tool for parents, as it assigns legal guardianship of your minor children.P

What to do: If you own a home or have children, you will need a proper will. If you're not yet in that position, your beneficiary forms will work for now!P

Trust DocumentsP 

Related

A trust is like a will, in that it outlines what you want to happen to your assets upon your death . Unlike a will, assets in a trust do not go through probate (which means the court cannot interfere with your decisions). It allows you total control over the passing of your assets to heirs.P

What to do: Trusts are recommended when you have children and/or a complex financial situation (e.g., children from multiple marriages).P

Now you know what docs you need securely stored in your safe-deposit box.Nothing feels as good as knowing you and your family are protected from life in all its chaos.P

6 Documents Everyone Should Have to Protect Their Finances | LearnVestP

Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick, Taylor Swift & More Hot Celebrity Sightings For January 21, 2014

So many photos, so little time. We spotted tons of celebrities out and about and attending events.

Chris Pine took his hot self to the UK premiere of Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.Stupid movie title, sexy suit.

Anna Kendrick was spotted looking cute and buddled up at Sundance today. I want to be her best friend. 

And Taylor Swift was wearing a sweater that is also owned by a friend of mine.I know, you’re welcome.

You Can Buy Hitler's Toilet if You Really Want To (No One Else Does)

Hitler's toilet, in Florence, N.J. (Hana Hawker)

About a year ago, on a cold, nearly-sub-zero day in January, I visited Greg Kohfeldt’s auto repair shop in New Jersey to inspect and report on an unusual object that had come into his possession: Hitler’s Toilet. The toilet, which was taken off Hitler’s yacht when the ship was scrapped after the war, has been in Greg’s garage since he bought the place. It remains, a year later, one of thestrangest stories I have ever written.

Earlier this week word of Kohfeldt’s infamous toilet began circulating on the web again: papers were reporting that the toilet was for sale.

I called Kohfeldt and he confessed that he had no idea what was going on. “I’ve never actually looked for a buyer,” he said, “it’s not openly for sale, but if someone offers me a good sum of money I’m not going to say no.” In short, the toilet is not at an auction house or at an appraiser’s office, or on a website. It is not for sale, but it isn’t off the market. When I asked Kohfeldt if he would donate it to the Smithsonian or to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, he responded immediately: “Absolutely!”

But let us imagine for a minute that the newspapers were right, and that the toilet is for sale. What would that even look like? Would it be on Craigslist?

Führer Toilet for sale.
Shows signs of use but still in working order.
Manufactured in Germany
Original owner had a German Shepherd but it has been stored in a pet-free environment since the 1940s.

Kohfeldt told me, just as he did last year, that nobody has ever made him an offer. It is a fact I find hard to believe; American troops in Germany during the war (when Nazi memorabilia was in abundance) were known for for bringing all manner of souvenirs back, from the easily concealed lugers and armbands, to the larger, more conspicuous items like flags. Wouldn’t Hitler’s toilet be the ultimate Nazi souvenir, rare even in the 1940s, and a treasure by today’s standards, 70 years after the war’s end and as the last Nazi officers die on their own?

Perhaps nobody wants to buy it because it’s not the sort of flashy artifact you can hang on a mantelpiece, or a thing you can impress guests with: Fun fact, Tim. That toilet you used in the bathroom down the hall? Hitler used it. Perhaps it is because the item itself presents a dilemma: do you leave it as is, on display like Greek pottery, or do you install it and use it like a toilet?

Kohfeldt has taken a fascinating and novel approach: using the toilet, not as Hitler’s toilet, but simply as his garage toilet. In fact, perhaps it is ultimately for this reason that nobody has made an offer. By making an offer it becomes more than a toilet; it takes on again the title Hitler’s toilet. And in that case, it is impossible not to put it on display without seeming a Hitler fanatic, and impossible to use it without feeling a little bit like Hitler.

You Can Buy Hitler's Toilet if You Really Want To (No One Else Does) – Tablet Magazine

You Can Buy Hitler's Toilet if You Really Want To (No One Else Does)

Hitler's toilet, in Florence, N.J. (Hana Hawker)

About a year ago, on a cold, nearly-sub-zero day in January, I visited Greg Kohfeldt’s auto repair shop in New Jersey to inspect and report on an unusual object that had come into his possession: Hitler’s Toilet. The toilet, which was taken off Hitler’s yacht when the ship was scrapped after the war, has been in Greg’s garage since he bought the place. It remains, a year later, one of thestrangest stories I have ever written.

Earlier this week word of Kohfeldt’s infamous toilet began circulating on the web again: papers were reporting that the toilet was for sale.

I called Kohfeldt and he confessed that he had no idea what was going on. “I’ve never actually looked for a buyer,” he said, “it’s not openly for sale, but if someone offers me a good sum of money I’m not going to say no.” In short, the toilet is not at an auction house or at an appraiser’s office, or on a website. It is not for sale, but it isn’t off the market. When I asked Kohfeldt if he would donate it to the Smithsonian or to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, he responded immediately: “Absolutely!”

But let us imagine for a minute that the newspapers were right, and that the toilet is for sale. What would that even look like? Would it be on Craigslist?

Führer Toilet for sale.
Shows signs of use but still in working order.
Manufactured in Germany
Original owner had a German Shepherd but it has been stored in a pet-free environment since the 1940s.

Kohfeldt told me, just as he did last year, that nobody has ever made him an offer. It is a fact I find hard to believe; American troops in Germany during the war (when Nazi memorabilia was in abundance) were known for for bringing all manner of souvenirs back, from the easily concealed lugers and armbands, to the larger, more conspicuous items like flags. Wouldn’t Hitler’s toilet be the ultimate Nazi souvenir, rare even in the 1940s, and a treasure by today’s standards, 70 years after the war’s end and as the last Nazi officers die on their own?

Perhaps nobody wants to buy it because it’s not the sort of flashy artifact you can hang on a mantelpiece, or a thing you can impress guests with: Fun fact, Tim. That toilet you used in the bathroom down the hall? Hitler used it. Perhaps it is because the item itself presents a dilemma: do you leave it as is, on display like Greek pottery, or do you install it and use it like a toilet?

Kohfeldt has taken a fascinating and novel approach: using the toilet, not as Hitler’s toilet, but simply as his garage toilet. In fact, perhaps it is ultimately for this reason that nobody has made an offer. By making an offer it becomes more than a toilet; it takes on again the title Hitler’s toilet. And in that case, it is impossible not to put it on display without seeming a Hitler fanatic, and impossible to use it without feeling a little bit like Hitler.

You Can Buy Hitler's Toilet if You Really Want To (No One Else Does) – Tablet Magazine