Baltimore, MD – Police Officer Helps Jewish Community

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    Baltimore police office Ken Dickstein, who also acts as the special Jewish Liaison, chats with some Jewish Americans in the community, March 2011 Photo: VOABaltimore, MD – The city of Baltimore, in the eastern United States, is known as “a city of neighborhoods.” It’s the 21st largest city in the U.S. and has 225 different neighborhoods. Some 100,000 Jews live in the city. One of its oldest neighborhoods, Park Heights, has a substantial Jewish population. To provide support and a sense of security to its residents, the Baltimore police department has a special Jewish Liaison.

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    It’s late Friday afternoon, just hours before the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. Baltimore Police Jewish Liaison Ken Dickstein is patrolling the Park Heights neighborhood. Jews there are headed to synagogue.   

    Most are Orthodox Jews and strictly follow Jewish law. That means they’re not allowed to drive on the Sabbath. Dickstein is making sure they are safe.

    “Their Sabbath starts on Friday sundown until Saturday sundown, so there’s a lot of pedestrian traffic,” said Dickstein.

    Although there’s little crime, there is concern that people could get mugged. Police officer James Vega also patrols the neighborhood as Sabbath services end. “Sometimes it is late at night – 9, 10, 11 o’clock at night.”

    Dickstein grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in Baltimore and speaks Hebrew and Yiddish, a blend of German and Hebrew once commonly spoken by East European Jews. His father was a rabbi. Here at this Jewish Community Center, he chats with Jewish Americans who are visiting Baltimore.

    Besides keeping people safe in their homes and businesses, Dickstein said the best part of his job is feeling a close connection to the Jewish community.

    Full article at Voice of America


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    14 Comments
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    ALLAN
    ALLAN
    13 years ago

    It is assumed by many that law enforcement is a job not favored by Jews in the United States. The percentage is indeed small but those who serve, serve proudly. Police officer Ken Dickstein is just another fine example of a Jewish policeman. The Shomrim Society is an fraternal organization made up of Jewish police officers, both male and female. Several NYPD Jewish policemen have died in the line of duty in years past. In the 66 pct which is in Boro Park Brooklyn several Jewish police officers serve including at least one female officer. NYPD also has one Hassidic officer. Rockland County, NY has at least one Jewish Deputy Sheriff. The Sheriff of Sullivan County, NY Michael Schiff is also Jewish.
    FYI there is also a fraternal organization of Jewish firefighters known as Ner Tamid Society. Three Jewish firemen were among the 343 who were murdered on 9-11-2001. Please remember..David Weiss, Alan Feinberg and Steve Belson who along with the other brave 340 who gave their lives that terrible day.

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    13 years ago

    I don’t think its anything to be happy or proud of.

    Dickstein grew up in a Jewish neighborhood …..
    “His father was a rabbi.”
    and he’s a Mechall Shabbos B’farhesah, what a shame.

    VoiceofReason
    VoiceofReason
    13 years ago

    Puff piece. If it was up to Baltimore City Police and Dickstein, there would be no Shomrim; Jews would never defend themselves. We are supposed to be victims, remember? The city would be overrun with crime and the Jewish community would be destroyed. But at least the police would be happy.

    13 years ago

    Kenny went to T.A. He was known as Hershel.He is a great guy. His Father is an alter Mirrer most probably 1 of the last around of mirrers alive today. His father was born in Brisk. He always talks about the Rebbe Reb Yeruchum. He was very close to him.

    marcia
    marcia
    13 years ago

    YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES…you look down your noses at each other, you criticize anyone and everyone ESPECIALLY each other, YOU make me ashamed! Take a GOOd look at your souls, they are so tarnished, ugly, this is NOT the LOVE that Hashem has for his children! We will never see Messiach! Don’t call 911 for help…they may be JEWISH…G-d forbid!

    MordyS
    MordyS
    13 years ago

    Baltimore is the largest INDEPENDENT city in the US