Lakewood, N.J. – Police officers in Lakewood are being trained and encouraged to assist the more than 60,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish residents in the community with tasks such as turning off light switches and picking up medication during Sabbath and Jewish holidays.
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An Orthodox Jew in Lakewood who cannot use modern devices during the 25 hours of Sabbath now know they can utilize police officers for special assistance, such as driving a car to run errands, turning lights on or off, or turning on heat or air conditioning.
Through the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Bagels, Lox and Cops events, which was held on Nov. 13 officers were learning about how the Orthodox community strictly adheres to the rules of the Jewish faith including rules for keeping food kosher, observing the Sabbath, observing Jewish holidays and how to handle a potential body at a crime scene or autopsy, reports App.com (http://on.app.com/1xl0cLq).
Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson said that the members of the Orthodox community will help train officers for unique situations that could arise during Sabbath or Jewish holidays.
Lawson joined the department in 1981, and has seen Lakewood change greatly over the last 33 years with the growth of the Orthodox community.
“I encourage community policing where if they’re riding around during a holiday or during the Sabbath and someone is requesting to give them assistance, I encourage officers to do that,” said Lawson.
Information taken from App.com
What a beautiful gesture from the police department there, especially in this day and age where Israel, Jews can do no right in the worlds eyes!
Make sure that the officer is in fact a gentile.
They are not our shabbos goyim!! They are there to keep our cities safe. They can’t do that if they are switching lights off!!! Next we will hear complaints that crime is up. Well, the cops are too busy making sure someone’s errands are done!
Already we have started seeing the self hating “jewish” and other unorthodox blogs criticize this gesture. May they all rot in the depths of g’henim!
Obviously, EVERYONE, the PO and the people, will have to use saychil when asking a PO for ayno yehudi assistance.
What a misuse of tax dollars.
When crime goes up because the cops were too busy turning on the heat or air conditioning, the Jews will be blamed. I want my police to protect my neighborhood and watch out for crime.
Kudos to Chief Lawson who is a real mensch and shows genuine concern for all Lakewood residents. It is a chief of this caliber that can lead a great Police Dept! We are grateful that Lakewood is a relatively safe town and that the police can give their time occasionally to building bridges with the community. This way they forge positive bonds and they are appreciated and respected.