On Friday, June 21, 2019, the Staten Island Safety Patrol, (SISP) a member organization of Staten Island’s Council of Jewish Organizations organized its first annual “Bike Registration and Safety Fair.” This inaugural event took place at the Young Israel of Staten Island Synagogue located in the Willowbrook section of Staten Island.

Close to 400 Staten Island families participated in this family event and approximately 226 bicycles were registered with the NYPD. Ari Weiss, chairman of the COJO-SI Security Committee and Coordinator of the Staten Island Shomrim explained that, “the purpose of the bike registration is to identify the bikes in the event that a bike is stolen or lost. As Chairman of the COJO-SI Security Committee and Coordinator of the Staten Island Shomrim, I feel that COJO-SI as a community partner working closely with the NYPD and FDNY has a responsibility to find ways to constantly enhance the quality of life for the residents of Staten Island. What better way can there be then to have a family outing featuring a bike registration and safety fair.”

Mendy Mirocznik, president of COJO-SI agreed and added, “with the summer coming and with the children out of school and being more active and out of the house we have a responsibility to educated them on safety. This bike registration and safety fair organized by Ari Weiss, the COJO-Security Committee and the Staten Island Shomrim was the perfect teaching opportunity for the youth of Staten Island. Besides bike registration, the NYPD and FDNY gave the kids lessons in safety and encouraged and answered all questions presented to them in a patient and friendly way. FDNY was on hand and explained fire safety. Members of New York’s bravest and finest had the perfect opportunity to educate the youth in a fun filled afternoon with prizes and snacks. If ever there was a good education in safety given it was at this great event organized and sponsored by the Staten Island Shomrim. As president of COJO-SI, I thank Ari Weiss and his Shomrim members for their efforts in making this event the success that it was”

Mirocznik, concluded by thanking, NYPD Chief Kenneth Corey, commanding officer, Patrol Borough Staten Island, Lt. Rafet Awad, commanding officer, Community Affairs, Patrol Borough Staten Island, Captain Bruce Ceparano, Commanding Officer, Pct. 121, Captain Michael Galletta, executive officer, Pct. 121, Lt. Russo, special operations, Pct. 121, NCO Officer Flores and NCO SGT. Willfredo Montes, Police Officer Alexander Rios and Police Officer Vern Ohlke of the NYPD Mounted Unit, FDNY Chief Kevin Woods, Staten Island Borough Commander, FDNY Fire Safety Educator Robert Diaz, for making the bike registration and safety fair the success that it was. “Through educating our youth in a friendly way we will impress on the children the importance of safety and respect for law enforcement. We are proud to be partners with the NYPD and FDNY in this positive pursuit which for the youth is a lifelong positive civic lesson,” concluded Mirocznik.

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