In light of summer approaching, NJ State Police (NJSP) hosted a law enforcement meeting at NJSP headquarters in Totowa New Jersey, to discuss community related issues in regards to the community that travels from NY trough NJ during summer months.

Attending the meeting were high-ranking police officials from over 30 police departments, as well as various Jewish community leaders, including Hatzolah Coordinators from Catskills, Lakewood, Rockland County, and the Misaskim organization.

Opening up the meeting was NJSP Chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman, who thanked all the law enforcement personal for participating in this important meeting. He thanked the NYSP Superintendent, Rick Fuentes and Troop B Major commander Chriss O’Shea and his entire staff for hosting it at “Troop B Headquarters”. Troop B covers by large one of the largest areas in the state of NJ, were hundreds and thousands of NY vacationers will be traveling to their upstate NY vacation areas.

PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos taken by Hillel Engel for YWN; Videos by Heshy Rubenstein for Shezoli.

“I’d also like to thank the long-time NJSP Chaplain’s Rabbi Yosef Carlebach, and Rabbi Yussi Hershkowitz, for their tireless work for so many years with the NJSP. They are both an example of leaders, and we strive to work as a team when it comes to the needs of the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Friedman.

“By meeting between community leaders, we are optimistic that we will be able to interact with NJ law enforcement personal in time of need, in a professional matter”, Rabbi Friedman told the gathering

As in previous years, the NJSP and other local NJ state law enforcement will be out to enforce reckless driving and other moving violators. “At the same time we are prepared to accommodate and be helpful to the Jewish community needs, says Captain Gerald Lewis of the NJSP”. “With the great leadership of the NJSP and all members of the NJSP, we strive to accommodate vacationers to have a safe summer season”.

Other issues such as Friday traffic, fatal accidents, and other Jewish customs procedures, were discussed.

Rabbi Yanky Meyer, who is the Chaplain of the NJ/NJ Port Authority Police Chaplain addressed the gathering and explained some sensitive issues to the gathering – including the important topics of Kavod Hames & Shabbos.

Major Chriss O’Shea, in charge of NJSP Troop B headquarters, assured community leaders that the NJSP is prepared to deal with any security concerns. “We work closely with other local law enforcement agencies when it comes to the public needs”.

Menashe Miller, Deputy Mayor of Lakewood, and US Military Chaplain, said a prayer on behalf of all US Serviceman serving in the US Armed Forces, and law enforcement, and then spoke of the importance of the community and law enforcement working together.

Among other speakers, was Mayer Lichtenstein a Lakewood Township Committeeman. Meyer Lichtenstein is a former Mayor of Lakewood NJ, and currently serves as the LPD Commissioner. He has a long history working on the community’s behalf for many years. He related a few first hand examples of how important it is for members of law enforcement to have some knowledge of Jewish customs.

It been estimated that over 100,000 travelers of the Jewish faith travel through New Jersey each weekend during the 9 weeks of the summer season.

Troop “B”, with its headquarters in Totowa, has the responsibility of providing full police coverage to 29 municipalities, part time coverage to six municipalities, as well as patrolling 218 miles of the 5 Interstate Highways that traverse North Jersey; I-78, I-80, I-95, I-280 and I-287, as well as State Highway 24, a 12-mile state highway, connecting I-287 and I-78 through Morris, Essex, Union and Somerset Counties.

Partial list of the NJ police departments in attendance:

Federal Agents PBA Local 121 – Bruno Varano President, David Cipriano State Delegate
Allen Rapaport- Police Commissioner Borough of Norwood, NJ
Trenton Police Department, Irving Bradley, Jr. Police Director
Michael Boyle, Linden NJ Police Department
Chief of Police, Daniel Paton Passaic Police Department
Bergen County Sheriff, Leo McGuire
Chief Stephen Carasia, Deal NJ Police department
Palisades Park Police Department Chief of Police Michael Vietri
NJ State Honor Legion Police Departments President Jim Durkin
Irving Bradley, Trenton Police Director
Chief Michael Boyle, Linden, NJ PD
Chief Eric Mason, Cranford, NJ PD
Chief Tom Carriddi, River Edge, NJ PD
Sheriff Leo McGuire, Bergen County, NJ
Sheriff Jerry Speziale, Passaic County, NJ
Chief Paul Cell, Montclair State Univ. PD
Chief Robert Tovo, Mountain Lakes, NJ PD
Chief Kurt Dombrowski, Caldwell, NJ PD
Chief John Dmuchowski, Little Falls, NJ PD
Lt. Sam Calafiore, Little Falls, NJ PD
Chief Michael Saudino, Emerson, NJ PD
Teaneck NJ Police department, Chief Bob Wilson
West Paterson Police Chief, Tony Galietti
Saddle Brook Police Chief, Bob Kugler

(Yehuda Drudgestein – YWN)