QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH JACK MIZRAHI FLATBUSH SHIMRA SUPERVISOR
WHAT IS FLATBUSH SHMIRA? FLATBUSH SHMIRA IS A PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP MADE UP OF VOLUNTEERS SERVING OUR COMMUNITY, 24/7. SHMIRA IS A WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION, WITH DIVISIONS FROM LOS ANGELES TO OVERSEAS. IN NEW YORK THERE ARE GROUPS IN BOROUGH PARK, STATEN ISLAND, QUEENS, FLATBUSH, CROWN HEIGHTS, MARINE PARK AND THE CATSKILLS.
We are also proud to announce that we will be taking our services to the Jersey Shore this summer. What makes us so unique is how quickly every division will jump to help another. We always have each other’s backs.
WHAT SERVICES DOES SHMIRA OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY?
We handle a variety of needs for the community: basement flooding, missing persons, search and rescue, security for events at shuls, Torah dedications, levayas, animal control, house lockouts, car lockouts, trees in the street, and all types of crime.
The primary way we keep the community safe is patrolling. We have volunteers patrolling in our marked cars and their own cars to help deter crime. We have many different types of vehicles and use each for different circumstances. We don’t let anything stop us from helping the community. We have ATVS, UTVS, rescue boats and pilots ready to take to the air for a search. We have mobile command centers, surveillance vans, and light tower trucks to help during dark hours. Depending on what the circumstances require, we have the vehicles, gear and professionals to help.
We have an ESU (Emergency Services Unit) truck which is stocked with almost anything you can think of. If the power goes out, we have generators ready to power up our community, so no one has to leave their homes. We bring shop vacs, water pumps, fans, air conditioning units and heaters to homes of those who need them.
Due to the recent events that have been hitting our community we have just introduced a brand new, 2022 Dodge Durango to our fleet, thanks to our sponsors. Having our Shmira vehicles patrolling our neighborhood helps deter crime in the area.
We also offer safety education to the community—from how to protect our synagogues all week and on Shabbat, to awareness for the children in local schools and yeshivahs, as well as how to protect your home.
WHAT IS SHABBAT PATROL?
Our Shabbat Patrol team is made up of retired police/corrections officers who go out when we are not able to. Criminals know that Jewish people are prohibited from doing certain things on Shabbat and holidays. When those times come, we roll out our Shabbat Patrol team. Their main objective is to keep an eye out, while we might not be able to. They are a huge asset to our organization and community, making us all feel safer, especially at times we might not have phones or electronic devices to call for help. The Shabbat Patrol is also able to assist our community with other services, whether it be administering medication, overseeing people who are walking from one location to another, or being flagged down for assistance. The members are there to help with any need possible, and at the same time to deter crime. No organization has this type of patrol, and we are proud to have them as part of our team helping ensure our community remains a safe place.
WHAT TYPES OF CALLS DO WE RECEIVE?
We receive a vast array of different types of calls, 24/7, including ones for burglaries and assaults. The calls vary. We request that all community members lock their homes and car doors to prevent crime. When we receive multiple calls from similar locations, we review hours of surveillance videos. When we recognize a pattern of crimes taking place at specific times in specific areas, we step up our patrolling in those areas at those times.
WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEND TO THE COMMUNITY?
First things first, we would like the community to know that we are here for them, at any time of day or night. We have volunteers who are ready to drop everything they are doing at that moment to assist. Our volunteers are just like every other person with a family, job and other responsibilities, but they run out to be there when called upon. We do it solely for the hesed and to be able to help our community when they need us most. Its also important for people to call our hotline directly at 718.871.4444. Even if you are not 100% sure that you need us, call us and let us make that decision. There can be instances when you see someone who might not look familiar or who stands out, on your block. They might not do anything at that second, but if you call Shmira, they will have a unit or two keep a close eye on them.
One of the most famous lines in NYC is, “If you see something say something.” We agree. Call us right away, so we can be there for you. It is our pleasure to serve such a great community and we look forward to continuing to keep our streets safe for all of us.
We always welcome new recruits. If you are interested in helping us keep our community safe, feel free to fill out an application and we will schedule an interview to see if it you will be a good fit.
