By COLlive reporter
Captain John J. Lewis, the newly assigned Commanding Officer of the New York Police Department’s 71st Precinct, was quick to begin making his rounds to meet community officials.
Transferred from the 76 Precinct in Brooklyn South to the Crown Heights base, Captain Lewis will be replacing Inspector Peter Simonetti beginning April 12, 2012.
Hours after his nomination, Lewis held his first acquaintance meeting with Yossi Hackner, Vice Chairman of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council and its Director for Intergovernmental Affairs, Chanina Sperlin. Also present was Eli Slavin, Community Liaison for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
The other members of the Crown Heights Vaad Hakohol are out of town for the Pesach Holiday and will be meeting him on another occasion.
Captain Lewis has a fondness for Crown Heights as he was born in the neighborhood – at the hospital which was located years ago at the site that is now the Crown Condos at 580 Crown Street.
According to one of the meeting’s participants, Lewis said that he began his career in Crown Heights 20 years ago, and he has a great respect for the local Lubavitch community and the Rebbe, who he remembers well from when he worked here.
He related that he understands the special needs of the Crown Heights community, whether it is extra security due to high visitor volume or high profile locations, or maintaining peaceful race relations in the area, since he worked here in the past.
“Captain Lewis comes with high recommendations from all over the city,” a person famillar with NYPD workings told COLlive.com.
“I look forward to working with the community for the benefit of our future,” the new Commanding Officer said at the meeting.
Captain Lewis will be meeting in the near future with Hatzalah, school directors, and other organizations in Crown Heights.
there is no such thing as a coincidence its a hashgacha piratis
Off to a good start with the new commish, B”H
wow! what a gorgeous house! Its a big Reflection of the people living inside.
By coincidence you are the fourth comment, like in the Haagoda, the fourth……
Chanina, thank you for getting my husband out of….Erev Shabbos, last year.
So Chanina we will call you for parking tickets, all the things you can get us out of when we need help. If your phone is busy, we cal call Eli. Wonderful.
In addition to having Rabbi Sperlin, Slavin and others, thank you Yossi Hackner for representing the whole Vaad.
Yossi you are a good and sincere person.
Many in the community were assited for Yom Tov VIA the Vaad, Reb Chanina and Slavin.
Only the BEST to you and your families.
We lucky to have you here!
Good to see you always doing such great work!