By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Director of Chabad in Mineola, New York, was troubled to read the news that a group of men doused buckets of water on officers of the New York Police Department (NYPD).
“I became really upset and incensed,” he told COLilve.com. “What a disgrace. I am outraged. So, what could I do? I was impatient, I have to do something to counterbalance the lack of respect in New York City.”
He went on to call the Police Commissioner of Nassau County, Patrick Ryder. “I want to say: thank you, Commissioner, and to all your Police brass and all the wonderful men and women of the Nassau County Police Department,” he said.
The Rabbi added: “I wanted to tell you all of how upset I was on what transpired in New York City against Police officers, and to let you know loud and clear, that out here in Nassau County, we all have the utmost respect and admiration to each of you.”
Commissioner Ryder immediately invited the Chabad Rabbi to attend the scheduled weekly Staff Meeting, with all the Chiefs of the Department. Rabbi Perl said he would attend.
At the meeting, the Rabbi said: “Here in Nassau County, we must never tolerate these kinds of incidents, of disrespecting Police Officers. Today we must all respond forcefully, to note our deepest respect for all of our Police officers, who work on our behalf day and night.”
He went on to tell that in 1968, New York City Mayor John Lindsey visited the Rebbe at Chabad Headquarters in Crown Heights. “This was at a time when Brooklyn and other areas were filled with racial strife,” Rabbi Perl pointed out.
The Rebbe stressed to Mayor Lindsey the importance of protective prevention efforts by the Police for the benefit of both the safety of the homeowner and the shopkeeper, and ultimately could even help the potential thief, to mend his ways even before he set out on a life of crime.
Years later, the first African-American Police Commissioner of New York City Lee Brown, also came to visit the Rebbe in Crown Heights Brooklyn.
The Rebbe told the Commissioner: “May G-d bless you thank you for taking upon yourself our protection and the protection for the big city. And may you do so in good health and in the right way and with much success.
“You certainly know the importance of the power of prevention in medicine, so too for police work, the best policy is to prevent unnecessary events, not to wait for something to happen and then correct it. But to prevent it from the beginning and to do so with wisdom, and pray that G-d almighty will provide you with ample measures for success.”
VIDEO:
OUTRAGEOUS: Cellphone videos of people brazenly dousing uniformed New York Police Department patrolmen with water have sparked outrage and led police officials to urge the force not to tolerate the behavior. MORE: https://t.co/YqR2oMR0wd pic.twitter.com/AtmgzAgLWe
— Eyewitness News WTVO/WQRF (@MyStateline) July 23, 2019
At the meeting this week, Rabbi Perl went on to explain why people should be respecting police officers.
“In this world today, we see a lot of criticism towards police officers. Every day they go to work knowing they are going to get called names, or even get shot at. Nevertheless, they do this every day for our protection. Now in today’s divisive environment, sadly Police officers around the country are being quote “thrown under the bus”. Let’s remember, the Police don’t make the laws, they just enforce them for our protection.
“They are citizens too. Just like each of us, they are citizens too. They have rights, like we do. They are moms and dads just like we are. Why treat them differently? Basically, treating a Police Officer differently, is like being a racist towards them.
“They have kind hearts too. Officers don’t only arrest the bad guys and give out tickets for running a red light. They have a kind heart. So many Officers have excelled in their good deeds for communities and individuals, even when no one recognizes them for it. Just because they gave you a lousy ticket doesn’t mean they don’t have any kindness in them.
“They deal with the dirty work. How many times have they to deal with a drug addict or a rapist? How many times have they showed up on a call where a child has been beaten? Officers deal with all these cases. Lots of times, the dirtiest work is the hardest work.
“It has long been said, respect for ourselves guides our morals, and respect for others guides our manners. It was Martin Luther King, Jr. who taught, we must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. Treat others as you want them to treat you, because what goes around comes around.
“So, the next time you see a police officer, thank them for what they do. Give them the respect they deserve and stand up to help them. Thank you, officers, for keeping us safe. May the Almighty watch over you, protect you and all your families. G-d Bless America!”
When my father, A”H, grew up here in
the Bronx (from 1914 till during the depression years)
if you would show disrespect to a police officer, you
would be in big trouble. It was called sassing an officer.
Thoughtful and well written. Unfortunately, common courtesy isn’t so common.
Shully