[VIDEO & PHOTO LINK BELOW] Crown Heights – NYS Senator Eric Adams, Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman, brought together Thomas Donlon, Director of NYS Office of Homeland Security, Community Leader Marquez Claxton, NYPD officials, and other elected officials to discuss security measures and precautions to safeguard our community during the upcoming High Holy Days.

Senator Adams sponsored the 2009 Debriefing on Sunday, September 13, 2009, 9:30 AM, at the Brooklyn Jewish Children’s Museum.  He was joined by officers of the NYPD and by members of their NYPD teams to provide an overview of the procedures implemented by the police to safeguard both our religious institutions and our community during this very special time of year.  The meeting clarified NYPD arrangements and afforded community leaders and citizens an opportunity to understand and appreciate them.  Forum attendees were provided an opportunity to voice specific concerns and share general feedback.

Senator Adams’ released the following statement to YWN: “As our communities commemorate the passing of one year into the next according to Jewish tradition, it is of vital importance to take sensible and reasonable precautions to safeguard the peaceful celebration of the High Holy Days. This meeting will assist our community leaders and citizenry to comprehend the magnitude of the significant procedures undertaken. There will be an NYPD security team presentation, a keynote address by Homeland Security Director Donlon, and an overview of Brooklyn plan operations.

“NYPD has a stellar history of superb job performance in safeguarding religious institutions and communities during the High Holy Days. My office will operate in conjunction with them to clarify the measures implemented to protect religious organizations and the entire community.

“Communication is an essential ingredient in a positive relationship between an agency of law enforcement and the citizenry it serves and protects. The Debriefing explains the NYPD security blueprint that reflects the paramount significance of the High Holy Days to the community observing them, and it facilitates a dialogue and an understanding between that community and its police department. 

“I am proud to sponsor an event that brings together elected officialdom, such as Council Member Letitia James; Congress Member Yvette Clarke’s community representative, Eli Slavin; NYC law enforcement personnel, such as NYPD Deputy Inspector Simonetti, NYPD Deputy Inspector Kosseim, and Sheriff Lindsay Eason; and community leaders, such as Rabbi Abe Friedman, Joel Friedman, Joel Eisdorfer, and Marquez Claxton. And I am honored to host an event that features homeland security personnel such as NYS Director of Homeland Security Thomas Donlon and FBI Special Agent Richard Frankel.”

“Team Adams extends its best wishes to the Jewish community for the upcoming holiday season. On behalf of myself and all of Team Adams, I wish everyone a happy, safe, and blessed Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.”

YWN VIDEO & PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for video by Shezoli, and click HERE for photos taken by Hillel Engel for YWN.

(YWN Desk – NYC)