In a Zoom meeting with Jewish community leaders this afternoon, all the key officials of the New York Police Department assured the community will be properly protected on Shabbos afternoon so that the community can observe Shabbos and attend synagogue fully without fear.
Present on the zoom were Police Commissioner Edward Caban, Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtrey, Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey, Chief of Patrol Chell, Chief of Detectives, Chief of Intelligence and Counter Terrorism, and other key police personnel who have been working on the plan for this Shabbos.
“There will be no repeat of 1991 (referencing the infamous Crown Heights riots),” said Chief Maddrey. Chief Chell laid out a detailed plan for securing the neighborhood, with hundreds of police officers to be deployed and with safe zones and street closures around the Jewish Community. The meeting was organized by Joel Eisdorfer, Senior Advisor to the Mayor, and coordinated by Inspector Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer of Community Affairs for the Police Department.
In addition to Crown Heights Community leaders, Eli Cohen, Chanina Sperlin and Devorah Halberstam, the call included representatives of Flatbush and other major Jewish Communities, Hatzallah leaders, Shmira and Shomrim representatives.
NYPD Inspector Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer of NYPD Community Affairs told COLlive, “as Police Commissioner Edward Caban clearly stated, there are no credible threats to the Jewish community or to any community of New York City. In addition, the NYPD has not given any direction that members of the Jewish community should avoid going out and enjoying their regular Shabbos routine. As always, if you see something suspicious, report it to 911 or call the NYPD’s Intelligence and Counterintelligence Tip Line at 1-888-NYC-SAFE.”
Leib Skoblo, Head of Crown Heights Shmira informed COLlive.com that Rabbi Yosef Braun, Crown Heights Beis Din Rov, has stated regarding this Shabbos, that if you have never carried a weapon before this Shabbos, only then are you not allowed to carry one. However, if one feels that the danger has escalated, then one is allowed to carry one,” Skoblo said.
Earlier in the day, the Vaad Hakohol of Crown Heights, led by Zaki Tamir, Yossi Hackner and Fishel Brownstein, issued a call to all shuls of Crown Heights to conduct regular Mincha services at the unified time of 5 pm on Shabbos.
Mincha should be followed by Tehillim (Psalms 20, 22, 69, 122, and 150) for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel, especially those in uniform and those in captivity, they said.
“It is important that all men go out of their homes to Mincha on Shabbos afternoon,” said Rabbi Eli Cohen, Executive Director of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council. “News articles have been written in the last day or so implying that the Jewish community of Crown Heights will be cowering in fear in our homes. That is not our response in such a situation.”
Chairman Zaki Tamir continued, “The New York Police Department has assured us that there is no plan by the marchers, and the police will not allow the march, to come close to the areas with a Jewish population. Shmira and Shomrim will be out in force watching for any threat. But it is essential that we send a message that we will not be intimidated. When every man between the ages of 20 and 60 is out on the street, it lets the world know, without needing rallies or marches, that we are vigilant, confident and proud of our heritage and our community.”
Rabbi Chanina Sperlin, VP of Government Relations for the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, has been in constant contact with City Hall and the Chiefs of NYPD to coordinate proper protection of the neighborhood and to ensure that community members can feel safe in their homes, in shul and in the streets.
Jewish Community Leaders are urging community members NOT TO go to this area to engage with any of the protestors, to avoid Washington Avenue and Eastern Parkway, Grand Army Plaza, Park Slope and Barclay’s Center on Shabbos afternoon.
Should be renamed hamas demonstration
This is all good and well. But Don’t get complacent or outsource our security to others besides our own. Never forget how quickly the police lines folded in the 2020 riots. And how easily every politician stabbed them in the back. They disbanded the anti crime unit when they were most needed and left the rest of the police force demoralized and defenseless! And no one was held accountable. When chaos hits it’s too late to prepare for self-protection and self-defense. Do it now. Be ready and on alert. Because as Israel learned the hard way, the minute you let… Read more »
But cost of license and gun, and safe is over $1,500
Almost $500 of that is the NY licensing scheme which even after the Bruen decision contains blatantly unconstitutional provisions.
Compare to Wisconsin where it’s $40 for a “shall issue” (unless you have a record they must issue the Permit) Permit and $20 to renew every 4 years.
Your NY politicians are hard at work infringing your right to protect yourself!
Remember people, we are 20,000 people strong.
That’s enough of a force to defend our neighborhood from Hamas attacks if we’re all armed and well trained. We can defend our schools if terrorists storm and slaughter and hold hostages. We don’t need to lose precious time waiting for the city to get there act together while our kids lives get snuffed.
It’s time to train our own rapid response terrorism task force of at least a hundred men who can show up at a moments notice, have detailed floor plans and action plans for all our many schools and shuls. And know where to spread out over the neighborhood to secure it if needed.
Ty
Rebel. That why there is a war in Israel. Same thinking
The city leaders are only stepping up because they see how dead serious we are about figuring out a way to defend ourselves without needing them. They want our dependency. But they’ve messed up our trust so bad that I don’t think they will ever be able to fully earn it back. They have completely exposed themselves for the treasonous puppets they are during COVID, the riots and restricting our rights while protecting the criminals, the shelters, illegals and the list goes on.
You will lose. Too many enemies.