The New York Police Department held a security briefing on Thursday by their headquarters at One Police Plaza in Manhattan.

The NYPD Ceremonial Unit started the event, and a talented Jewish singer, Eli Levin, sang for the large audience the national anthem of the United States.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, who hails from a respected Jewish family and is a frequent visitor to Crown Heights, informed the attendees about public safety initiatives ahead of Pesach and the longstanding working relationship between the New York Police Department and the NYC Jewish communities.

Concerns were raised regarding an increase in anti-Semitism and discussions about safety alertness amid the United States ‘Operation Epic Fury’ in the Middle East.

The police commissioner announced that there will be an extra NYPD presence with additional officers stationed in the New York City Jewish communities, including Crown Heights, over Pesach.

Tisch spoke about Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass z”l, who was the NYPD chaplain for nearly 60 years until the day of his passing several months ago. She then nominated Jewish NYPD Chaplain, Rabbi Gabriel Kogan, to fill in for the important role. Kogan then addressed the crowd.

The security briefing was arranged by NYPD Deputy Chief of Community Affairs Richie Taylor.

Attending from Crown Heights were: Yisroel Hecht, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Information Technology; Rabbi Chanina Sperlin, Chaplain of the Port Authority Police Department; Devorah Halberstam, NYPD honorary commissioner of community safety; Uri Fraenkel, from the NYC Mayor’s office; Ahron Gluck, candidate NYS Assembly district 43 (CH); Rabbi Eli Slavin, Jewish liaison for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09); Rabbi Eli Cohen, CHJCC Director of Advocacy and Community Relations; and Yehuda Shaffer, Crown Heights activist. 

As well as representatives from Crown Heights Shmira, Shomrim, and Chaverim

Many Jewish elected officials, dignitaries, and politicians in attendance had the opportunity to don Teffilin with the assistance of Rabbi Yossi Rapp and Mendy Gerlitzky of Chabad Air.

Lubavitcher Shluchim in attendance, Chaplain Rabbi Avrohom Richter and Rabbi Hecht from Chabad in Queens, NY.

In a statement, Ahron Gluck, who recently announced his candidacy for the NYS Assembly, said: “I had the honor of being invited to the NYPD’s Pesach Security Briefing, which I attended. I look forward to working with the NYPD Leadership and supporting them with the resources to try to permanently increase police officers assigned to the 71st Pct, 77th Pct and 67 Pct, the three police precincts which patrol the streets in the 43rd NYS Assembly district of Crown Heights and East Flatbush.”

“I am thankful for the increased police presence in the Neighbourhood for Pesach, and if elected, my office will work with the NYPD to make it as permanent as possible,” Gluck concluded.

The event was also attended by Jewish community leaders and Askonim from Flatbush, Borough Park, Williamsburg, Kew Gardens Hills, and Far Rockaway.