NYPD, COJO Collaborate Talk Turkey and Security and 10th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

NYPD, COJO Collaborate Talk Turkey and Security and 10th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

Edited by: TJVNews.com

What has become an annual tradition starting with the opening of Pct. 121 ten years ago the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO) has once again partnered up with the precinct and its Community Council to distribute Turkey prior to Thanksgiving at the precinct. This year 127 total Turkeys were distributed to Staten Island families which helped facilitate their Thanksgiving cheer. Robert Orlando, President of Pct. 121’s Community Council commented, “the goal of the Community Council has been to improve community relations. Our Council has had the privilege of partnering up with COJO on so many important community projects that brings people together. Perhaps one of the happiest partnerships is the Turkey distribution, it helps set a pleasant tone to the start of the holiday season. Thanks to these efforts undertaken by COJO and its President Mendy Mirocznik we are able to assist a few of our fellow Staten Islanders enjoy the festive Thanksgiving meal. We appreciate the positive impact that the camaraderie in sprit and the good will that this Turkey projects creates.”

On hand for the Turkey distribution was COJO representatives, community leaders and top NYPD brass including Chief Joseph Gulotta, Staten Island Borough Commander; Inspector Richie Taylor, Commanding Officer, Community Affairs Bureau; Lt. Rafet Awad, Commanding Officer, Community Affairs, Patrol Borough Staten Island; Inspector Eric Waldhelm, Commanding Officer, Pct. 121; Captain Matthew Divito, executive officer, Pct, 121; Sgt. Charles Kosa, Commanding Officer, Neighborhood Coordinating Officers, Pct. 121; and Officer Zhana Krot, NYPD Commissioner’s Liaison Unit, Ari Weiss, chairman, COJO Security Committee, and coordinator Staten Island Shomrim Safety Patrol; as well as scores of police officers. Also in attendance was Edward Jackson, representing Mayor Eric Adams and Fitim Shabani, representing Assemblyman Charles Fall.

“This COJO Pre-Thanksgiving Turkey distribution truly has become a cherished and well anticipated Staten Island tradition,” remarked Chief Gulotta, “we calendar this particular event and look forward to having COJO partner with us in setting holiday cheer. From a police perspective, this Turkey distribution is a fine example of breaking down barriers between community and the NYPD. It affords the NYPD the ability to have positive interactions with the community. By opening Pct. 121 to the public which we faithfully serve allows the public to have a dialogue and positive engagement with the police and that helps foster an environment of trust and confidence. As the Borough Commander, I thank Mendy Mirocznik and COJO and we look forward to our ongoing partnership which truly enhances police community relations.”

Chief Gulotta then went on to explain that this year’s Turkey Distribution, “gave the NYPD an additional opportunity to feel the pulse of the community. It also gave us the opportunity to discuss holiday safety with COJO and help flush out the important concerns of the community. I am happy to say we had a productive and important conversation. This is what positive policing is all about, listening, learning and being prepared.”

Mendy Mirocznik, President, COJO, thanked, “the community partners on hand that helped make this years Turkey distribution the resounding success that it was.” Mirocznik began by thanking the NYPD, Chief Gulotta, Lt. Awad, Inspector Waldhelm and President Orlando; Lilian Orlando; and Sammy Benedetto; Community Council, Pct. 121, for once again being such a gracious host in making this Turkey distribution possible. Mirocznik, then went on to thank Rev. Dr. Terry Troia, President, Project Hospitality; Carina Vizhnay and Stanley Shen from Empire BlueCross BlueShield; Jenny Palaguachi and Jennifer Clarke-Craih, from the  Healthcare Education Project; Shaudel Johnson, Tribeca Pediatrics; Cynthia Brabham, Ivelisa Black-Taylor, and Fanny Hurtado, from the Youth and Family Services Division of the New York City Division of the Administration for Children Services; Ali Ansari, Radhakrishna Mohan, Dr. Nithiananda Chatterjie, and CH Javed Gujjar, from the Asian American Labor & Community Organization. Mirocznik gave special praise and thank you to Borough President Vito Fossella and Timothy Mannix, the owner of Mannix Shop Rite Staten Island whose generous support was instrumental in making the difference for this  year’s Turkey distribution.

Mirocznik emphasized, “that this year’s Pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution gave the diverse communities residing in Staten Island the opportunity to discuss their public safety concerns with the NYPD in an intimate relaxed environment. With all the tension in the world and the raise in hate people had the opportunity to mingle and focus on what to be thankful as Americans this Thanksgiving.” For me quipped Mirocznik, “it is the privilege to be an American living in Staten Island with so many good people I proudly call friends. For me it means having the best police department in the world who truly cares about the safety of all people residing in the Island and who are always available around the clock no matter what day it is to address our concerns and make certain that no person should ever feel unsafe and not protected. I know that together in unity and love as a community of all Staten Islanders we will overcome the challenges we face and as a community we have a bright and positive future.”