By Jeff Lipton
Police in the 4th Precinct will bolster patrols around synagogues during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a 10-day period of atonement, repentance and fasting for Jews that began at sundown on Wednesday.
"We are going to intensify patrols around all synagogues in the 4th Precinct," said Inspector Paul Clark, the new commander of the precinct. "And whenever possible, we instructed our officers to get out of their patrol cars and to go into the temples."
Police officials met with about 30 rabbis from the Five Towns on the night of Tuesday, Sept. 4 at Young Israel of Woodmere on Peninsula Boulevard to review strategy for the High Holy Days. They also answered any questions and concerns held by the rabbis.
The meeting, which has become an annual event, was organized by Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside).
The meeting, which lasted about an hour and 20 minutes, was also attended by Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey; Timothy Driscoll, deputy county executive for public safety and law enforcement; and Kenneth Hettler, deputy commanding officer of the 4th Precinct.
"The meeting went very well," said Clark. "It was very informative and there was a good give-and-take. We exchanged information and we're feeling confident [about security]."
Clark said the questions focused on "general concern" about security, adding that the Nassau County Police Department has not received reports of any threats directed at religious institutions.
Police have annually bolstered patrols around Jewish institutions during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, particularly following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
"The patrols have certainly been stepped up since 9/11," said Clark. "And one of the greatest [services police officers provide] is giving peace of mind to congregants.
"It gives congregants a good feeling to have a police car there," Clark added.
At any given time during the Jewish holidays, Clark said, about two dozen patrol cars will be out within the 4th Precinct boundaries, with police officers in both plainclothes and uniform looking for any suspicious vehicles or persons around synagogues.
Religious leaders in the Five Towns praised efforts by the police.
"They have always been very responsive and very supportive of the Jewish community," said Rabbi Hershel Billet, spiritual leader of Young Israel of Woodmere. "I'm sure they will try their very best to do what they can to give us a sense of security. I have a lot of confidence in them and hope there's no problems out there."
Billet said as an extra precaution, private security has been hired by his synagogue to help secure congregants, which has been the case for all Jewish holidays and the Sabbath.
Clark said the Sept. 4 meeting was not only about protecting congregants from any possible threats, but also helping prevent accidents while residents walk to their synagogues. "We want to safely navigate traffic and since a lot of people are walking, by having a police car out there, drivers will slow down."
In addition, Clark said the precinct will provide crossing guards at many area synagogues to help congregants cross some of the busier streets around the roughly 50 synagogues located within the boundaries of the 4th Precinct, which takes in the Five Towns, Atlantic Beach, Oceanside, Island Park, East Rockaway, Lido Beach and Point Lookout.
Police have also established a hotline at (516) 573-7720 to answer any questions or address any concerns about security during the holidays. Anyone who sees something suspicious should call 911 immediately, police said.
"Our concern on these High Holy Days should be on our spiritual well being, and we should not let our concern for our physical well being hamper our focus," said Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, spiritual leader of Temple Israel of Lawrence. "We are fortunate to be blessed with a police force that is concerned and lay leadership in our congregation that are vigilant."
He said the temple also has its own security force in place. "It's the responsibility of each congregation to set up its own security needs, not only in relation to any possible threats that may lurk from with out, but to provide a smooth flow of congregants from within," Rosenbaum said. "The security we have is not simply in place to protect, but to help assist our congregants on the High Holy Days."
Comments about this story? Jlipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
