Pre-Purim Safety Meeting With Mayor’s Jewish Advisory Council

By Hamodia Staff

Dozens of community leaders along with members of Hatzalah and Shomrim met with the top officers of the NYPD and the Mayor’s Jewish Advisory Council for a pre-Purim safety meeting hosted by Touro College at 1602 Ave J in Midwood.

Senior Advisor to the Mayor Joel Eisdorfer opened the meeting by welcoming everyone on behalf of the mayor, and gave a brief synopsis of what the mayor’s office was doing to ensure the safety of all neighborhoods. The meeting was chaired by New York City Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Fred Kreizman, with the participation of Deputy Chief of Staff Menashe Shapiro, Councilman Kalman Yeger, and other city and police officials.

Officials from the NYPD and the Mayor’s staff discussed the preparations taking place behind the scene to help ensure the Jewish neighborhoods around the city remain safe during the upcoming celebration of Purim.

During the meeting, the NYPD shared their advice of best practices for the upcoming holiday, including reminders about alcohol consumption, leaving roads clear for emergency vehicles, and displaying sensitively towards other ethnic groups when dressing up in costumes.

In response to the concerns of many regarding recent demonstrations in the city against Israel, the city’s representatives explained the balance the maintain between allowing people to exercise their First Amendment rights to free speech and the need to prevent any violations of the law.

Deputy Chief Richard Taylor reminded the attendees that should anyone see anything suspicious, they should not hesitate to call and report it to the police.