[PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Bergen County, N.J. – Late Thursday afternoon, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, on behalf of Sheriff Michael Saudino and his staff, invited community leaders from both New York and New Jersey to discuss the holiday schedule for the upcoming Passover holiday and to provide reassurance to the Jewish community in light of the January firebombing attacks in Rutherford.

Over seventy community leaders from New York and New Jersey, which included representatives from large Jewish organizations such as the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the Orthodox Union and the Anti Defamation league, Hatzolah, Misaskim, as well as other faith based leaders, attended the meeting which took place at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack.

Sheriff Saudino, who was elected in 2011, introduced Executive Undersheriff Steven Librie and Undersheriffs Bob Colaneri, Harry Shortway Jr. and Brian Smith and assured all those present that not only have his deputies and staff undergone training in religious customs they are committing to providing the highest standard of service to communities of all faiths which includes an open door policy to all communities in and around Bergen County. Sheriff Saudino stressed that there will be increased visibility throughout the county, near both synagogues and schools, with particular vigilance during the upcoming holiday period.

All those present expressed their sincere thanks to the Sheriff’s office for this first ever Pre-Passover meeting, particularly following numerous synagogue attacks earlier this year in Bergen County.

Sheriff Saudino called for a moment of silence for all the victims of the attacks last week in Toulouse, France, saying that although this devastating tragedy took place on another continent, it touches every person and every family, particularly those with children.

The meeting concluded with a tour of the Bergen County Jail, a state of the art correctional facility that can house over 1200 inmates.

The Mission of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office is to effectively and efficiently enforce the rule of law throughout Bergen County, provide for the care and custody of detainees housed in the Bergen County Jail, provide a safe and secure environment for the administration of justice in the courts of the Bergen County Justice Center, to enforce orders issued by those courts, to assist police agencies by providing forensic and investigative support services and to educate and inform the citizens of the myriad of public safety issues that may have an impact on their day to day lives.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos by Shimon Gifter.

(YWN Desk – NYC)