(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Faith leaders and law enforcement gathered for a rare roundtable meeting on June 6th at the New Jersey State Police Headquarters in Totowa, a golden opportunity to discuss shared concerns in light of a recent wave of hate crimes and bias incidents that have raised serious security issues, both in New Jersey and nationwide.

Major Michael Devlin of NJSP’s Troop B delivered opening remarks followed by NJSP Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes who addressed security matters that reflect community concerns and welcomed over 100 participants, including leaders of all faiths and law enforcement personnel on the federal and state levels. Several speakers, including Bishop Jethro James, senior chaplain Monsignor Philip Lowery, Chaplain Gary Holden and Imam Mohamed El Filali, discussed various aspects of cultural awareness and the importance of continuing collaborations between faith based communities and law enforcement as an effective crime fighting tool, while representatives of the Attorney General’s office and several law enforcement agencies assured community leaders that there will be a zero tolerance policy on all hate crimes. The event also included an informative video on community policing, remarks by Acting Director Jared Maples of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness on bias crimes and additional presentations by the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S. Marshal’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the United States Postal Service Inspection Service.

A special presentation honored Colonel Fuentes and Superintendent Michael Fedorko of the Port Authority Police Department for their extraordinary accomplishments, with Reverend Steffie Bartley praising the pair for their many years of diligent and distinguished service. Both Colonel Fuentes and Superintendent Fedorko said that they were humbled by the public demonstration of recognition and the warm congratulations that they received from the faith based community leaders in attendance.

Several dozen members of law enforcement on both the federal and local levels attended the meeting including Timothy Gallagher, Special Agent In Charge of the FBI’s Newark offices, Captain Brian Polite of the NJSP Office of Public Affairs, Lieutenant John Paige of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Deputy Chief of Detectives Weldon A. Powell of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Director Thomas Carter of the TSA’s Newark offices, Port Director Ed Fox of the Port Authority, U.S. Marshal Juan Matos, Special Agent in Charge Carl Kotluski of the Drug Enforcement Agency, a representative of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Chief Greg Meyer of the Lakewood Police Department, representatives of the Ocean, Passaic, Hudson and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Offices, Meir Lichtenstein of the Lakewood Township Committee, Sheriff’s chaplain Joel Friedman, NJSP chaplain Yossi Hershkowitz and Abe Lichtenstein and NYPD Liaison. Also present were many faith based community leaders representing houses of worships of all denominations throughout northern and central New Jersey.

Multiple speakers stressed the importance of learning about the many subtleties and customs of large faith based communities as a key factor in building effective and harmonious relationships.

“Gaining an understanding of faith based customs has given me the ability to do my job and run my office better,” said Ocean County prosecutor Joseph Coronato.

“On day one of the academy we are taught that the level of crime or negative quality of life issues within a community will only be that which the community will tolerate,” said Al Della Fave, public affairs director at the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. “The best law enforcement leaders and executives never forget this lesson. This annual meeting provides an outstanding opportunity to foster critical community support, connectivity and cooperation with law enforcement in order to assure safe and secure communities.”

As municipalities that are home to thousands of children, both Teaneck and Lakewood are prime examples of large faith based communities whose members often work hand in hand with law enforcement in various ways. Teaneck Mayor Eli Katz and Lakewood Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller both noted that understanding cultural norms is a crucial step in implementing proper security practices and Bergen County Sheriff Mike Saudino touched on the collaboration between his office and the local community.

Captain Brian Polite of the NJSP Office of Public Affairs took advantage of the opportunity to thank the many chaplains in attendance for their continued efforts.

“You are there for us, through good times and bad,” said Captain Polite. “Members of law enforcement should realize that working with community leaders not only enhances local security but also allows troopers and members of law enforcement to have the benefit of getting support from the community leaders and chaplains in times of crisis.”

Prominent Jewish community leader and New Jersey State Police chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman praised representatives of both the government and law enforcement for their continued efforts on behalf of the state’s many interfaith communities.

“Over the years, relationships between community leaders and law enforcement have become stronger and stronger,” said Rabbi Friedman. “I congratulate Superintendents Fuentes and Federko on these well deserved awards for their outstanding working relationship between their agencies and the community.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)