Especially Strong Police Security Presence in Williamsburg Throughout Sukkos

The police presence follows UJO and Shomrim meeting with the highest-ranking police chiefs and staying in touch with the police department throughout the holiday. This helped to ensure a peaceful and happy holiday. UJO thanks the police leaders for the increased security patrols.

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s October 25, 2019 edition

​Brooklyn, NY – UJO and Shomrim had a meeting with the police department regarding security for the Williamsburg community two days before Yom Kippur. This led to a strong police presence throughout the Sukkos holiday. The increased protection was on the streets in general and around the larger synagogues as well. There was also a steady police patrol assigned to NYCHA Housing over sukkas which helped ensure a peaceful holiday.

“I would like to express a strong thank you to Chief Harrison and Assistant Chief Maddrey,” says Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, “for taking our concerns seriously as well as overseeing Williamsburg’s safety and allowing residents maximum protection.  A special thank you to the local commanders, Captain Timothy J. Skretch of the  90^th Precinct  who personally went on patrols and oversaw that our community received maximum protection; Deputy Inspector Charles Minch who provided maximum protection from out of the 79^th Precinct and Captain Esposito   who oversees the  protection for the Projects in Williamsburg and NYCHA preventing any untoward incidents.

“It is self-understood the community owes a strong debt of gratitude to Shomrim volunteers and the coordinators including Mr. Yanky Itzkowitz, Mr. Lemel Markowitz, and all of the Shomrim volunteers for their continued devoted work protecting the neighborhood. This was done even during the busy days before and during the holiday. We also express our deepest thanks to Mr. Lincoln Restler for personally assuring that the community was protected and to Pinny Ringel who made himself available around the clock making sure that Williamsburg received the greatest security possible.”  

Arrest Made in Attack at Warsoff Place



The 79^th Precinct arrested a third criminal the day after Sukkos who participated in the robbery and attack on a young man on Warsoff Place and Flushing Avenue.

He was arrested for a different crime and the Neighborhood Community Officer (NCO) of the area identified him as one of the participants in the robbery which took place September 17.

Increased Police Presence Throughout Yom Kippur Which Should Continue Through Sukkos

The increased police presence is a direct result of the meeting, which took place with the top Chief of Police, UJO, Shomrim, and the Mayor’s office to ensure maximum security in the area in light of recent hate incidents.

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s October 11, 2019 edition

Brooklyn, NY –Williamsburg arranged an emergency meeting that was called by Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President. The meeting took place the Monday before Yom Kippur. The NYPD’s top Chief and local commanders participated along with Jewish community leaders.  

NYPD committed themselves to increase police presence and protection in the area, especially near prominent synagogues and in areas where this is a history of hate incidents. They promised that in general there will be more police cars circling the neighborhood.

After the meeting, Rabbi Niederman said, “I want to thank Chief Rodney Harrison for taking the time to come down to discuss the security situation in Williamsburg before the holidays. I also want to thank Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey for always addressing the concerns of the neighborhood and taking them seriously. Thank you as well for making an effort to be personally on top of this situation and making it a priority for Williamsburg to receive maximum protection. Thanks are also due to local commanders, Captain Timothy J. Skretch of the  90^th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Charles Minch, and Captain Esposito for providing the necessary resources to protect the neighborhood.

“I want to especially thank the devoted Shomrim volunteers and coordinators, Mr. Yanky Itzkowitz, Mr. Lemel Markowitz, for not resting in their efforts to secure the neighborhood community and making sure every incident is fully reported. I also want to express a hearty thank you to Pinny Ringel for making himself available 24 hours a day for the community and for making sure that each incident is taken with the full seriousness and that we achieve maximum security resources. Thanks as well to Mr. Lincoln Restler for personally assuring that the community is protected.” 

Councilman Chaim Deutsch and Councilman Kalman Yeger Meet with Police Chief of Department and Patrol to Assure More Protection for NYC

Police promised an additional 130 officers and 25 cars at shuls for Yom Kippur. This follows a meeting in which Councilman Chaim Deutsch convened with Jewish leaders throughout NYC to discuss and demand more security for the Jewish community.

Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s October 11, 2019 edition

Brooklyn, NY –A meeting with the NYPD Chiefs Monahan and Chief Rodney Harrison, NYPD Chief of Patrol was called by Councilmen Chaim Deutsch and Kalman Yeger. The urgent meeting was called to discuss the necessity of increased police patrols over Yom Kippur. The meeting followed a meeting that took place the previous day. The earlier meeting included Jewish community leaders and was also called by Deutsch and Yeger. The purpose of the initial meeting was to discuss the security that took place over Rosh Hashanah and to discuss where more security is needed.  

Representatives of Williamsburg, Boro Park, and Flatbush participated. Participants included Rabbi David Niederman, Yanky Itzkowitz of Shomrim, Yanky Meyere from Misaskim, Berel Sprayalach, Rabbi Yeruchim Silber from Agudah, Rabbi Avi Greenstein, CEO BPJCC, Joel Rosenfeld of Bobov,   Berry Spitzer of Community Board One, Yakov Kaplam, Chezkel Bennet, Yaakov Berman and many more Jewish leaders.

The meeting was especially off the record without any press being allowed so that attendees could speak frankly and have an open discussion on the issues at hand. Deutsch and Yeger then took the information and brought it directly to the Mayor resulting in a follow-up meeting the next day with the police chief to assure maximum security for all NYC Jewish communities. As a result of that meeting, the police provided additional patrols and special security over the holiday. The community is very grateful to Chaim Deutch and Kalman Yeger for being on top of ensuring a safe Yom Tov for all.

Important Call to Community to H​​elp Secure the Neighborhood

In light of the number of hate crimes that have happened lately where the investigation was hampered because of the incidents were not correctly reported, UJO and Shomrim appeal to everyone to assist in such investigation  by doing the following, which is critical for the safety of the community.