The following letter was sent to the editors of DNA Info after they published an article headlined “Rabbi Grills Ray Kelly Over Williamsburg Hit-and-Run at Passover Briefing”.

I just read your article and I am extremely disappointed in the way my comments were distorted. As everyone who was present knows, I clearly stated at the Passover meeting, that the NYPD is doing a wonderful job in trying to apprehend the criminal who killed three innocent, lovely people and continue to safeguard our community. Unfortunately, that part of my comment was omitted from the article and only the latter part of my sentence was quoted, where I asked that the justice system work with the NYPD to prevent this kind of tragedy.

However, the article portrayed just the opposite when the headline reads “Rabbi Grills Ray Kelly Over Williamsburg Hit-and-Run.” Further in the article the meeting was characterized as an “event meant to strengthen ties between the NYPD and the city’s Jewish community turned ugly” There was no ugliness — merely a cry for help to a wonderful friend to enlist his assistance with his colleagues in governmental agencies dealing with the criminal justice system. Commissioner Kelly is without a doubt the best Commissioner that the City has had in my lifetime and is the best candidate to facilitate changes for the better.

The people of Williamsburg and NYC know that the NYPD brought every resource to bear from the moment of the first 911 call. There has been a thorough investigation, leading to the identification of the driver and others potentially responsible for this crime. Thank G-d, the driver was finally arrested.

My frustration was directed towards the current justice system that enables a person like Acevedo to walk the streets and hurt more people in the process. I have asked that our Justice system should be improved and noted that the NYPD and the community must continue to work together with the Police Department to insure that everyone in Williamsburg is safe in their homes and on the streets. Everyone present at the event understood that and clearly Police Commissioner Kelly empathized with my emotional remarks, when he commented, “I share your frustration.”

I ask that the reporting be corrected to reflect the community’s admiration towards the Commissioner and the Department and congratulate them for their success in getting Acevedo into custody. We call for a total change in the penal code system to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.

(YWN Desk – NYC)