Emphasizing collaboration as the key to safety and security, high ranking officials representing multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies met with religious leaders on Monday June 18 th at the New Jersey State Police headquarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The annual meeting has become a pre-summer rite in recent years, giving members of law enforcement an opportunity to communicate directly with community representatives and to discuss their concerns including bias crimes, greater security at houses of worship and ensuring the well being of the many travelers who pass through the Garden State.

The meeting opened with Chaplain Menashe Miller, deputy mayor of Lakewood, New Jersey, saying the Pledge of Allegiance and expressing his gratitude to the state’s law enforcement community for its many years of support and service.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Superintendent Pat Callahan, a long time member of law enforcement who was recently tapped by Governor Phil Murphy to head the New Jersey State Police. Superintendent Callahan thanked all participants for their attendance and pledged his support to continuing positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the faith based communities. Special guest New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal spoke strongly about the importance of taking a tough stance against hate crimes, noting that bias of any kind would not be tolerated in New Jersey and was honored by religious leaders with an appreciation award for his commitment to the state’s many interfaith communities.

Also in attendance were multiple senior members of law enforcement on both the state and the local levels including Superintendent Colonel Edward Cetnar of the Port Authority Police Department, Director Jared Maples New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, ASAC Joseph Denahan of the Special Operations Branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Newark Office, Port Director Adele Fasano of Customs and Border Protection, Chief John Savinos of the New Jersey U.S. Marshals Office, Federal Security Director Thomas Carter of the Transportation Security Administration’s Newark offices, several NJSP troop commanders and representatives of statewide county prosecutor’s offices. Multiple interfaith leaders participated in the event including NJSP senior chaplain Monsignor Philip Lowery and New Jersey state organizer Pastor Steffie Bartley who expressed his gratitude for the ongoing positive relationship between law enforcement and the state’s diverse religious community.

On the local level, Lakewood Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein praised law enforcement officials for their dedication, vowing his full support for the many agencies who are committed to ensuring the safety of New Jersey residents on a daily basis and thanking Attorney General Grewal for his tough stance on hate crimes, a solid deterrent that would hopefully reduce the number of bias incidents in the state. Representing 58 Chabad centers in New Jersey, Rabbi Avi Richler described the meeting as a golden opportunity to building trust and ensuring communal safety.

“Communication is always key and this forum is a foundation to that communication,” said Rabbi Richler.

In addition to stressing the importance of security in synagogues, churches and mosques throughout the state, summer safety was also a high priority item with tens of thousands of travelers taking to area roadways and flying in and out of local airports.

NJSP chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman stressed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication in order to best serve the many members of the state’s faith based communities. “Our involvement in past years has demonstrated the tremendous positive effects that take place when collaborations of this nature take place,” said NJSP chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman. “We are grateful to many state and federal representatives who joined with us today for their continued efforts on behalf of the state’s many interfaith communities and are extremely appreciative of both Colonel Callahan and Colonel Cetnar for their outstanding leadership at their respective agencies.”

“With summer upon us and rising temperatures, we in law enforcement must be reminded to exercise tolerance, understanding and compassion,” added Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato. “This annual meeting helps tremendously in educating front line officers to the many diverse cultural differences they will encounter in the coming months during the course of their daily patrols.”

Photos by Hillel Engel

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