NYPD Chief Addresses Crown Heights Concerns

By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shimi Kutner

New York City’s new police chief, Dermot Shea, attended the 71st Precinct Council meeting on Thursday evening in Crown Heights.

The Police Commissioner addressed many issues that are of concern to residents, such as the uptick in Hate Crimes, guns in the streets, and other violence.

The Commissioner spoke about the Hate Crimes Task Force, established to fight the increase in reports of bias-motivated threats, harassment and violence throughout New York State.

Run by the State Police with the assistance of the State Division of Human Rights, and the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Task Force works together to prevent, investigate, and monitor Hate Crimes and violations of Human Rights Law.

He also spoke about the Hate Crimes Prevention Office, stating that Mayor Bill de Blasio takes hate crimes very seriously.

Together with Law Enforcement, education is part of the plan to combat Hate Crimes, the Commissioner said.

Devorah Halberstam, an honorary NYPD commissioner and co-founder of the Jewish Children’s Museum in Crown Heights, and a close of friend of Commissioner Shea, spoke as well.

Halberstam remarked that she had recently hosted a group of young Explorers – young adults affiliated with the NYPD – at the Jewish Children’s Museum. Halberstam related how the youths were so emotional about what they saw in the museum and heard about the murder of her son, Ari Halberstam.

Halberstam declared that she will fight this plague of hate with all she has, saying that she is devoted to educating the young about the evils of anti-Semitism, and the beauty of our Jewish culture.

Chanina Sperlin of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC) thanked the Commissioner and the Mayor’s Office for the extra police presence in the neighborhood in recent months. He took special notice of Sgt. Vinny Martinos for his dedication to the safety of the residents in the 71st.

Eli Slavin, liaison to Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, delivered a message from the Congresswoman, thanking the Police Dept., and Mrs. Halberstam for the work the Museum is doing.

In his remarks, Slavin reiterated what the Congresswoman spoke about at the JCRC Legislative Breakfast that hosted many Members of Congress. Congresswomen Clarke stressed the importance of educating the youth of the participation and sacrifice that the Jewish community made and were part of the Civil Rights struggle.

Among the other speakers, there was a lot of talk about the bonds between the black and Jewish communities living together in Crown Heights, working towards a common purpose.