COJO Convenes Spring 2021 Security Meeting at Pct. 123

On April 20, 2021, the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) convened its Spring 2021 Security Meeting at Pct. 123 located in the Tottenville section of Staten Island. At the Meeting COJO officials such as Mendy Mirocznik, COJO president, Scott Maurer, COJO CEO and executive vice-president and Ari Weiss, COJO security chairman, and coordinator Staten Island Shomrim were in attendance.

The meeting highlighted a tour of Pct. 123, as well  as detailed security report given by Captain Andrey Smirnov, the venerable and highly respected commanding officer of Pct. 123. Captain Smirnov praised COJO and Shomrim, “for being sensitive to the needs of Staten Island,” and “for diligently working on partnership and collaborative ventures with the NYPD and with the broader Staten Island civic community.”

Smirnov added, “during the cold dark period of Covid having the knowledge that Mendy Mirocznik, Scott Maurer and Ari Weiss were always accessible made life easier knowing that we have a dependable resource that is dedicated and committed in helping the people of the Borough. It was an honor to stand with COJO in not only disseminating much needed PPE, food, and resources, but to also convey the message that together as a united community working hand in hand with the diverse groups who call Staten Island home, we will get through the challenges presented by Covid. Staten Island is blessed with many great community organizations such as COJO whose goal is working to unify the Island in a beneficial way and to improve the quality of life for all people. This relationship comes from hard-work and as the commanding officer of Pct. 123, I look forward in continuing this partnership as we transition slowly and carefully back to a normal world.”

Mirocznik, thanked Captain Smirnov for opening Pct. 123, and for hosting the Spring 2021 COJO Security Meeting.

”Captain Smirnov took command of Pct. 123 in September 2021. A lot has transpired under his watch. The ugly face of hate, bigotry and anti-Semitism was seen and challenges in policing and keeping houses of worship and synagogues safe became an issue. The fear of upheavals, riots  and keeping the calm in Staten Island is real and daunting. We at COJO proudly say that thanks to dedicated police officers such as Captain Smirnov the Island has not witnessed rioting or violence. It is our opinion  that this is in large part  thanks to the open and frank communication and constant dialogues between organizations such as COJO and the NYPD. Captain Smirnov is accessible and his phone is always open and members of the faith-based community, civic leadership and elected representatives in a nonpartisan fashion are in constant contact. Policing in this day and age needs this vital contact and  this is the only way to maintain trust and confidence in law enforcement. We in Staten Island view the NYPD as friends and welcomed  partners. COJO is proud to be part of this important dialogue and officers such as Captain Smirnov represent what New York’s finest are all about. The officers of the NYPD are caring and compassionate and concerned officers truly dedicated to public safety and taking all measures in working with the community in achieving this important goal.

Captain Smirnov was not trained at the academy in how to handle the current affair facing law enforcement. But his warm heart and intelligent mind and must make it work attitude is the secrete to the success of the NYPD and to the officers under his command.”

Names in Pictures

Picture (1) Picture taken at the entrance of Pct. 123, left to right, Crime Prevention Officer Thomas Alessi; Community Affairs Officer Jarrod Zinnanti; Ari Weiss, COJO security chairman, and coordinator Staten Island Shomrim; Mendy Mirocznik, COJO president; Captain Andrey Smirnov, commanding officer, Pct. 123; and Scott Maurer, COJO CEO and executive vice-president

Picture (2) Group Photo of the Police Officers present for the COJO Spring 2021 Security Meeting, at the front row at the podium, left to right,  Scott Maurer, COJO CEO and executive vice-president; Mendy Mirocznik, COJO president; Ari Weiss, COJO security chairman, and coordinator Staten Island Shomrim; and Captain Andrey Smirnov, commanding officer, Pct. 123

Picture (3) Ari Weiss, COJO security chairman, and coordinator Staten Island Shomrim; and Mendy Mirocznik, COJO president; addressing the police officers