COJO-SI Congratulates Pct 121. Deputy Inspector Bruce Ceparano on His Promotion

On April 7, 2021, Mendy Mirocznik, president, Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island (COJO), and Ari Weiss, COJO Security Chairman and Coordinator of Staten Island Shomrim met with Deputy Inspector Bruce Ceparano, Commanding Officer of Pct. 121 and congratulated him on his recent promotion to Deputy Inspector.

Deputy Inspector Ceparano was appointed in May 2019 to serve as the Commanding Officer of Pct. 121 located in the Grantville section of Staten Island. “Interestingly enough, he did not even have the luxury of a honeymoon. Within hours of his appointment the evil of anti-Semitic graffiti struck with the slogan of ‘Synagogue of Satan’ shamelessly painted on a Synagogue and School in Willowbrook. These acts of hate coupled with a few other hateful incidents placed then Captain Ceparano in high gear and Captain Ceparno in conjunction with District Attorney Michael McMahon and the Island’s political leadership in a nonpartisan unified fashion rallied with Captain Ceparano and took on hate, bigotry and anti-Semitism. Captain Ceparno rose to the challenge and his leadership and communication with COJO and the community was key in building confidence and trust in the NYPD.” Stated Mirocznik.

“Further when the pandemic hit, Captain Ceparano was out in the field personally checking on Synagogues and Houses of Worship making certain that his command kept a careful eye on them as not to fall victim of wrong-doers thinking the police are focusing on other issues. Thanks to Ceparano’s careful police eye not one Synagogue or House of Worship was defaced or burglarized thorough the course of the pandemic. Additionally, whenever COJO needed assistance with the many PPE and food distributions including the major Pre-Passover, Pre-High Holiday food, Pre-Thanksgiving giveaways, Captain Ceparano personally together with his officers under his command came to assist not only with traffic, but also with the packing and the distribution of food packages. Deputy Inspector Ceparno truly is a gentleman and is genuinely concerned with the welfare of the people who live in Staten Island. He truly is a great leader , a visionary with a warm heart and a pleasure to collaborate with. We at COJO wish him well on his promotion to Deputy Inspector and we look forward to continuing our partnership. It is this partnership that will help us overcome the pandemic and help us transition to a cured post covid world. We must understand that Deputy Inspector Ceparano had no training Manuel to advise him on how to tackle hate or the pandemic. His secrete weapon is that he has a warm and caring heart and intelligent mind. These human abilities gave him the acumen to lead and succeed as he did in difficult of times. We wish him the best as he takes on the rank of Deputy Inspector.”

At the meeting, Deputy Inspector Ceparano discussed his vision and plans as the world returns to normal and thanked COJO, “for being a great civic organization which truly cares about everyone.” Ceparano thanked Ari Weiss and the Shomrim for their, “assistance in the darkest of times,” and “how they rose to the occasion.” Deputy Inspector Ceparano stated, “Staten Island has many great organizations such as COJO and these groups truly make policing a pleasure when working with civic leaders such as Mendy Mirocznik and Ari Weiss who see eye to eye on accomplishing the best for Staten Island. I look forward to continuing our partnership with COJO and achieving much more for the residents of the Island.”      

Names in Picture, Left to Right, Ari Weiss, COJO security chairman and coordinator Staten Island Shomrim; Deputy Inspector Bruce Ceparano, commanding officer, Pct. 121; and Mendy Mirocznik, COJO president.