By COLlive reporter
Devorah Halberstam, a Chasidic resident of Crown Heights and longtime activist for law enforcement and fighting terror, has made history as the first person to receive the title of Honorary Safety Commissioner for Community Safety from the NYPD.
The title was given by NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill due to Halberstam’s “relentless dedication to the New York Police Department for public safety and community safety, devoting hundreds of hours on training new officers, and for her dedication and perseverance to the NYPD,” Lieutenant James Woods told COLlive. “The partnership and friendship that we have with Devorah is a blessing to the NYPD.”
Halberstam, who is also the first woman to receive the honorary Commissioner title from the NYPD, was appointed at a private ceremony at NYPD Headquarters on Thursday.
“After a terrible tragedy, the murder of your son Ari, you could’ve just retreated into your own world, but you didn’t, you did the exact opposite – you made it a cause, and New York City is a much safer place because of that,” Commissioner O’Neill said.
“We are proud of Devorah Halberstam as a member of the 71st Precinct community, being honored as an Honorary Commissioner,” NYPD 71st Precinct Inspector Francis Giordano told COLlive.
“She has worked relentlessly to fight terrorism and train the NYPD rookies over the years, and she’s dedicated a huge amount of time and energy into law enforcement, and helped write numerous laws aiding law enforcement to help fight crime.”
Congratulations Mrs. Halberstam! You are such an inspiration to our collective community and women everywhere! Yasher koach for always using your talents and strength to make a beautiful Kiddish Hashem. Ari would be proud!
This recognition came as a result of your dedication and perseverance for over 25 years to ensure public safety for the Jewish community and NYC at large. This type of appointment “NYPD Commissioner” has never been assigned to a civilian other than the PC. Much mazal in your new role in good health.
This surely makes you stand apart of the others.
we are lucky in crown heights to have such dedicated leaders as ms. halberstam, chanina sperlin and eli cohen who work for the cahal day and night, we owe them hakaras hatov and should listen to their endorsements as they are in the know.
Devorah you’re incredibly wise and live life with a purpose.
This is a great honor and we all know that it’s a gift for us in crown heights to have you living in crown heights and taking care of our needs as people and as a community.
Left inspired by you and all you do for klal Yisroel