Pre-Purim Meeting Today as Safety of Boro Park a Central Focus for Leaders of Community Volunteer Organizations and NYPD

By Mindy Cohn

Mayor’s Office, NYPD top brass, elected officials, Hatzolah, Shomrim and community leaders met at Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein’s office and afterward walked the streets of Boro Park to assure the community that Purim will be safe.

The meeting focused on the NYPD’s commitment to keeping Boro Park safe throughout Purim.

Attendees included NYPD First Deputy Police Commissioner Edward Caban, Senior Advisor to Mayor Eric Adams Joel Eisdorfer, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Assistant Chief Charles McEvoy, Commanding Officer of Community Affairs Inspector Richie Taylor, 66th Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Jason Hagestad, Community Affairs Lieutenant Yitzy Jablonsky, Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, Councilman Kalman Yeger, Jacob Eisdorfer, Community Liaison to Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Yechiel Kalish, CEO of Chevra Hatzolah, Berry Spitzer, District Manager of Community Board 12, Motty Fleischer, Boro Park Hatzolah Administrator, Aharon Yitzchok Kohn, Boro Park Chaveirim Coordinator, Meir Weill, Misaskim Coordinator, Duddy Kornhouser, Coordinator of Chesed Shel Emes, Boro Park Shomrim Coordinators Motty Katz, and Motty Brauner.

Each speaker reiterated their hakaras hatov to the volunteer organizations for their continued efforts throughout the year and for working hand-in-hand to promote the safety and well-being of residents.

Joel Eisdorfer expressed the Mayor’s sentiment on public safety, community relations and religious sensitivity. Mayor Adams has worked with the Jewish community as a police officer, state senator, Brooklyn Borough President and now as Mayor and has been in the Jewish community more often than any of his predecessors. 

Commissioner Caban, Chief Maddrey, Chief Chell, and Chief McEvoy spoke about their many years in the NYPD, which has brought them close to the Jewish community. 

Inspector Richie Taylor spoke about his positive personal experiences with Commissioner Caban, Chief Maddrey, Chief Chell, and Chief McEvoy and that he believes that the NYPD has the most supportive executive staff now than at any other time in history. Inspector Taylor further stated that having Joel Eisdorfer serve in the important position of Senior Advisor to the Mayor is something that the entire community is extremely proud of. 

Assemblyman Eichenstein and Councilman Yeger expressed their thanks to the Mayor, the Mayor’s Office, and the NYPD for their unwavering dedication and service to the community. 

After the close of the official meeting, the entire group went to be mevaker choleh Reb Berish Freilach, senior community liaison, as he could not attend the meeting after undergoing a medical procedure. Rabbi Freilach expressed his great appreciation for the visit.

The afternoon drew to an upbeat close with a visit for the participants to Toys 4 U, where they were greeted by owner Yossi Itzkowitz. The store tour allowed for a greater understanding of Purim preparations and even included costume hat fittings.