Brooklyn, NY – Report: Leiby Kletzky Security Initiative Delayed Amid Concerns Over Video Access

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    Brooklyn, NY – The one million dollar, state-funded initiative to purchase and install 150 security cameras in Boro Park and Midwood is being held up over fears that the NYPD may be granted only selective access to video footage in the event of a crime. The video system is intended to provide blanket surveillance. VIN previously reported on this situation here.

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    After a story in The Forward (http://bit.ly/NoKnJX) revealed that Shomrim coordinator Jacob Daskal said full access would hinder the ability of community members to keep specific crimes, such as domestic violence, within the confines of the community, the Daily News reported (http://nydn.us/MAfAxV) that there is also a dispute about who should manage the project.

    Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) had intended for Agudath Israel to administer the Leiby Kletzky Security Initiative, but their controversial position requiring a consultation with a rabbi prior to reporting allegations of sex abuse to law enforcement, has led some to wonder whether the surveillance footage would be shared with the authorities when necessary. Agudath Israel declined comment.

    A “political insider” told the Daily News that the project “is stuck as a result of concerns with the organization running it. Most people are trying to figure out why these funds just don’t go to the NYPD.”

    Deputy Police Commissioner and spokesman, Paul Browne said, “We don’t think there should be any filter between the police and a victim of a crime or evidence of a crime. If there’s a crime, we’ll decide.”


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    26 Comments
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    Reb Yid
    Reb Yid
    11 years ago

    When the cop says, “if there’s a crime, we’ll decide”, that shows why we need soneone to decide whether to go to the cops in the first place. The cop can decide whether something merits further investigation, or has the appearance of a crime, but obviously they think it’s up to them to determine whether a crime has been committed.

    Ben_Kol
    Ben_Kol
    11 years ago

    “… hinder the ability of community members to keep specific crimes, such as domestic violence, within the confines of the community.”

    What will be the result of keeping domestic violence within the community? More domestic violence!

    How dare these “community organisers” limit the access of police to security cameras, which are meant for our safety and the safety of our children.

    11 years ago

    Something seems to be missing in this story. I ask, did any of my fellow bloggers ever see an orthodox couple having a physical altercation in public. Of course their may be domestic or sex abuse but these are done in private settings which won’t be seen by these videos. If indeed these videos are going to looking into private homes. you’ll have constitutional problems..

    Professor
    Professor
    11 years ago

    I actually dont want tge shomrim to have access to any camres. As good as they do, and yes,they do a goid job protecting us. BUT, I want my privacy. I want to do stuff that is legal, but not accepted to do in this area. I dont want my neighbor, friend, or people from shul to find out, because some big mouth cant keep his mouth shut.
    i really dont like “big brother watching”

    grandpajoe
    grandpajoe
    11 years ago

    In the name of religion let the guilty go free 🙁

    mythoughts
    mythoughts
    11 years ago

    This is crazy. What exactly should happen to domestic abusers? Does the Shomrim want us to report them to the local orthodox rabbi????? Who’s the puppet master behind this organization? I’m flabbergasted and nauseated all at the same time.

    FredE
    FredE
    11 years ago

    I dont even understand the argument, such that is. Are people beating their wives or kids out on the street? Really?

    lakewooder
    lakewooder
    11 years ago

    I think Daskal is not a native english-speaker and did not understand what the words domestic violence mean. He may think that local fights between chassidus’ etc. do not belong in the public eye. He thought domestic meant local. I am sure he did not mean wife-beating.

    mommd
    mommd
    11 years ago

    The ONLY goal of Rabbis acting as filters, is to stop further actions being taken against the perpetrators. Let’s not use any religious excuses- the Rabbis just don’t want community members to be prosecuted. Doing so would bring up too many questions, such as “WHY ARE THESE THINGS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY?” They don’t want to have to answer that question.
    Therefore, they would rather act as a gatekeeper, which means covering it up, so it nevers reaches the point of prosecution.

    11 years ago

    These people have completely lost all sense of reality. The GOVERNMENT is PAYING the one million dollars for these cameras. It is not up to Agudah or Shomrim to dictate who sees the tapes. These cameras should be monitored entirely by the NYPD and not by someone whose Unlce gave them the job to watch them.

    11 years ago

    So shomrim will decide if domestic violence is a private matter whereas murder is not? My blood is just boiling at the thought of battered women being abused and a community who defends the perps!

    11 years ago

    I applaud all that Shomrim has done for our community. Shomrim is a great unarmed security patrol service and have done great things. However they are great at protecting us from “External” threats, “Internal” threats would be best dealt with going to the cops. It is very evident that Shomrim wants to act as a fiIter of sorts and they will determine what they consider a crime or not, and therein lies the danger! I think its a really bad idea for them to have exclusive access to the camera system.

    It is very well known that certain elements in our community try to cover up on crimes of domestic violence and child molestation. For some morally corrupt reason “they” don’t deem these crimes worthy of enforcement!

    B”H things are slowly moving in the right direction. Women and children are safer today then they were 5 years ago (due to “external” intervention). By giving Shomrim exclusive access to these video feeds we would be taking a huge step back in enforcing these crimes. And as crazy as it sounds that is precisely what Shomrim is trying to do! I don’t get it, aren’t they supposed to be protecting the innocent and punish the guilty???

    Shlomo2
    Shlomo2
    11 years ago

    I would guess what they fear is parents being prosecuted for “disciplining” (beating) their children, generating a call by the police to Child Protective Services.