Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s January 3, 2020 edition
In the aftermath of the horrifying stabbing in Monsey UJO works to strengthen the overall security of Williamsburg
Brooklyn, NY – United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn has been in discussions with police since the terrible attack in Monsey at a Rabbi’s home on Saturday night, December 28. The discussions have been ongoing regarding bringing maximum protection to the Williamsburg area. UJO stood with Mayor de Blasio as he announced that he will be taking more measures to fight hate crimes. Subsequently, Senator Chuck Schumer announced a significant increase in funding to protect yeshivas, shuls, etc. and is calling for a quadrupling of this funding. Additionally, Attorney General Tish James announced the formation of a special hotline and division to further combat hate in NYC.
Police Commissioner Makes Impromptu Visit to Williamsburg to Observe Security
On the request of UJO that more police protection is needed, Police Commissioner Dermoth Shea made an impromptu visit to Williamsburg on Tuesday, December 31, to observe security. UJO plans to work in coordination with Shomrim and JCRC-NY in the upcoming weeks to provide information and advice to yeshivas and schools on how to improve security measures.
Subsequent to the terrible stabbing terrorist attack which took place at the house of a Monsey rabbi on December 28, UJO has stepped up discussions with the police and elected officials. The ongoing dialogue is in regards to the measure needed to strengthen the security in Williamsburg in order to better protect yeshivas, shuls, and public areas. These are part of the ongoing efforts being discussed to combat the increase in anti-Semitism that already has, unfortunately, claimed lives and injured many.
Williamsburg’s local police chief reiterated the importance of being constantly aware and reporting if one sees something unusual. It was through just such an action that the perpetrator of last week’s heinous terrorist attack was caught after his license plate was reported and subsequently caught on camera when he crossed a bridge into New York City.
Mayor de Blasio Announces Increased Police Presence in Williamsburg
On Sunday afternoon, December 29, an announcement was made by Mayor de Blasio regarding an increased police presence for Williamsburg and Boro Park. Additionally, it was announced that there will more light towers and security cameras provided for the precincts in these areas.
UJO Attends Meeting with Senator Schumer
On Monday afternoon, December 30, Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director, and President attended a meeting with Senator Chuck Schumer. Senator Schumer announced a recently passed NPSG grant increase to $90 million to protect houses of worships, schools and community centers and also called for a further quadrupling of funding to prevent hate attacks in the wake of the Monsey stabbing and hate attacks to better protect yeshivas and schools.
Pictured: Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President speaking at the press conference with Senator Chuck Schumer
JCRC-NY announced this week that they hired Mitchell D. Silber – former Director of Intelligence Analysis at the New York City Police Department as executive director of the Community Security Initiative, a new position created as part of JCRC-NY’s $4 million plan to help secure Jewish institutions in the New York region.
In the coming weeks, UJO plans to work with local police, Shomrim, and JCRC-NY to provide continued information and advice on how to better protect yeshivas and shuls.
“I want to thank the Mayor, Police Commissioner, and the top city leaders who were personally involved in finding the meant to strengthen the security in our neighborhoods and other Jewish neighborhoods,” says Rabbi David Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President. “I also want to thank Senator Schumer for his strong initiative to help in protecting our area as well as Attorney General Tish James for establishing the hate crime hotline.We are thankful for their leadership, and we continue to be in touch with City Hall, Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey of Brooklyn North, 90 precinct Commander Captain Mark Vaszuez and 79th precinct Captain Timothy J. Skretch to ensure the maximum protection in the neighborhood.
“I also want to thank Councilman Stephen Levin for being on top of the issue since Saturday night, December 28, in ensuring maximum security for the neighborhood. I want to especially thank Lincoln Restler, the Mayor’s Chief-of-staff for his work together with the Police Commissioner in ensuring that our neighborhood receives the necessary resources for protection.
“At the same time, we call upon yeshivas and shuls to take the issue of security seriously. In the meantime, UJO will work to bring more assistance and advice on how to increase security measures. All yeshivas and shuls are obligated to take additional security measures upon themselves even though we know that ultimately ‘The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps’ (Psalms 121:4) and that is where our true protection is. Nonetheless, we are required to make our best effort to protect our children and the community. Unfortunately, we are seeing what can happen, G-d forbid. In both recent incidences, in Jersey City and in Monsey, much more horrible outcomes were prevented, thank G-d, as a result of locked doors. It is the responsibility of leaders and activists in public areas to take steps for all to be better protected.”
Reporting any type of attack is important for many reasons. A recent example took place last week when a group attacked two young children in the elevator in their own building. Police and Shomrim took the report, and then UJO spoke to the commanders and demanded a quick resolution. The police immediately went down to review the cameras in the building. UJO thanks the 90th precinct and PSA3 commanders for ensuring that the report was thoroughly investigated and dealt with, relieving the residents from their fears.
The motto that we should be aware of and practice is If you see something, say something. It is important to make sure to report each and every incident. During speech after speech of our elected officials, they bring up the constant themes of how important it is to report anything suspicious. By reporting even something minor, one may very well be stopping a crime before it happens and becomes something much more dangerous. UJO works together with Shomrim and offers assistant to anyone who feels they can benefit from their presence so as to make sure reports are given the appropriate credence and filed appropriately. To report anything suspicious or any type of attack, call the Shomrim hotline (718) 871-6666 or UJO at (718) 643-9700.
