On January 18, at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, in Seaview, the Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) of Staten Island held its “Inaugural COJO-NYPD CommUNITY-Wide Security Meeting.” COJO was founded in 1967 and serves as the central coordinating and resources organization for the 40,000 Jewish residents of Staten Island. COJO is also a founding charter member of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York. As the umbrella organization of the borough’s Jewish community, COJO is in constant contact with the NYPD and other law-enforcement organizations and works hand in hand with its parent organization, the JCRC, on issues of security and safety. The inaugural CommUNITY meeting held was remarkable because COJO also coordinated the security meeting with faith-based groups and civic organizations of Staten Island. A look at the packed standing-room-only crowd of close to 300 people of all walks of life is testimony of COJO’s concern for the welfare and wellbeing of all of Staten Island.
The audience was addressed by Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon; Hon. John Miller, NYPD deputy commissioner for intelligence & counterterrorism; NYPD Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre, borough commander of Patrol Borough Staten Island; and David Pollack, the associate executive director of the JCRC. Detective Kathleen Thompson from the NYPD Counter Terrorism Division gave a shield presentation that pertained to active shooters and other security threats. Andrew Gross, the political adviser to the Hon. Amir Sagie, the deputy council general of Israel, brought greetings for the Israeli consulate to the meeting. Bishop Dr. Victor Brown, NYPD chaplain and senior pastor of the Mt. Sinai Church in Staten Island, reflected on the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. Bishop Brown stated, “The diversity in the room is uplifting and truly is a fulfillment of Dr. King’s dream and vision of people of all walks of life coming together as one in the pursuit of building a better, just community.”
Also present was the borough’s top NYPD brass such as the commanding officers of the island’s police precincts as well as representatives from One Police Plaza. Diverse members of the clergy were also present.
Mendy Mirocznik, COJO president, and Scott Maurer, COJO CEO, together with former Staten Island Borough President Jim Molinaro presented proclamations to Hon. John Miller as well as to NYPD Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre, lauding both men for their great contributions to the NYPD.
Mirocznik stated, “Tonight we recognize two outstanding leaders of the NYPD who by no small measure are responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of New York City. These proclamations are just a mere token of COJO’s appreciation to Deputy Commissioner Miller and to Assistant Chief Delatorre. Maurer stated that by recognizing these leaders of the NYPD, we honor all the men and women of the NYPD who give of themselves in making our city and borough a safe place to live. Thanks to the NYPD, New York is the safest city in the world.
COJO plans to continue to partner up with the NYPD, the JCRC, and other law-enforcement agencies to bring further security meetings and forums to Staten Island.Â
