Rhoads, Nassau County police bolster safety at religious institutions

In the wake of more than 100 reported threats aimed at Jewish Community Centers across the country — including one in Oceanside and another in Plainview — Nassau County law enforcement and legislative officials have taken steps to maintain residents’ safety.

County Legislator Steve Rhoads, a Republican from Bellmore, said not only that it is his priority to protect his community, but that protecting those of all faiths “is our global obligation.” He added, “Just as we want to make sure that kids are safe in school, we want to make sure that people are safe in houses of worship.”

After reaching out to the Nassau County Police Department and its Homeland Security Unit, Rhoads co-sponsored a public safety seminar for religious officials in Bellmore, Freeport, Merrick, North Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh on April 3 at the Merrick Jewish Centre. The seminar, called Caretakers of the Congregation, had already been scheduled by the NCPD as a countywide event, and that was held on April 29 at the Morrelly Center in Bethpage. When Rhoads learned of the program in March, he asked if it could be presented earlier in the 19th Legislative District, and the NCPD OK’d his request.

The seminar was “designed to bring awareness and teach measures civilians can take to keep themselves safe, even in a group setting,” explained Patrick Ryder, the NCPD’s deputy commissioner.

Congregation leaders learned methods of preventing security breaches as well as how to respond to emergencies. They also learned of the county’s plan to install panic buttons in houses of worship, and to release a panic app available for smartphones.

“We wanted to make sure lines of communication were open between police departments and houses of worship,” Rhoads said.

The app has been introduced to school officials across the county, and will eventually be available via application to malls, movie theaters and other businesses.

Rabbi Ira Ebbin, of Congregation Ohav Sholom in Merrick, said he found it comforting to know that Rhoads and Nassau County police were working to protect houses of worship. He added that the seminar was helpful, and highlighted “many of the things we are already doing for security purposes, and several things we can improve on.”

According to Rhoads, it is imperative for Nassau County residents to establish trustworthy relationships between themselves and law enforcement officials. “You’re never going to be able to stop bad people from doing bad things,” he said. “It’s how good people respond that makes a difference.”