A community is helping a Midwood Jewish business
owner after she was wrongly accused of violating COVID-19 regulations.
A video seen over two million times shows the sheriff department's officers
investigating Ilana Kagan's business, Pottery and Glass Land in Midwood, on
Saturday night.
At the time, Kagan was working on putting together
kits to sell. She says it's her only way to make income because she can't have
customers painting in the store.
The sheriff's office says they came to investigate
because they got a 311 call from a neighbor accusing the shop of violating
regulations. The business at the time was in a red zone where nonessential
businesses can't be open.
However, officers say they
say the found no violation and didn't issue a summons. The video captured a
calm exchange between Kagan and the officers.
The video
caused concern in the community, some saying people in Jewish communities are being targeted with these
restrictions. Many residents were inspired to raise money to help Kagan's business.
Kagan and community members say something still
needs to be done so small businesses aren't suffering through the pandemic.
News 12 reached
out to the mayor's office for a statement and is waiting to hear back.