Mayor de Blasio Wishes “Zissen Pesach,” Ensures Extra Police Presence in Jewish Communities

 By Yehudit Garmaise

  Not only will Mayor Bill de Blasio be wishing the Jewish community "a zissen Pesach,” he said this morning at his press conference, but he added that the city will provide an additional police presence over Yom Tov in Jewish communities, as well.

    “[An additional police presence] is what we have done year in and year out [on the Jewish holidays], and it has been important to do to reassure the community and protect the community,” Mayor de Blasio told BoroPark24 “One of the things we do [to protect New Yorkers], is whenever we see something where it is important to add additional focus [of policing], we do that.

   When BoroPark24 reminded the mayor that, particularly on Motzei Shabbos and on Sunday night, thousands of Orthodox Jews all over New York City will be walking home very late at night after seders, and they may feel vulnerable to crime, the mayor said not to worry: we can enjoy our joyous week of the celebration of many miracles without anxiety.

    “Yes, the community can rest assured that [Pesach] will be a time of special vigilance and protection, and we want everyone to have a very special time together.

   The mayor, who said he was “very appreciative” of the opportunity to discuss the community’s safety during Yom Tov, added, “We want to make sure it is a very wonderful time for the Jewish community.”

Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.