By COLlive reporter
Photos: Shalom Burkis
NYPD Chief of Department Rodney Harrison, the highest-ranking uniformed officer in the NYPD, visited Crown Heights Tuesday evening, the day after a Jewish man was shot with a BB gun in a drive-by shooting.
Chief Harrison was accompanied by Chief Michael Kemper, the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Community Affairs Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Richie Taylor, and Community Affairs Lieutenant Ira Jablonsky.
He was greeted by Devorah Halberstam, NYPD Hon. Commissioner for Community Safety, NYPD Chair Civilian Hate Crimes Review Panel, and 71st Pct. Clergy Liaison, and Eli Cohen, Executive Director of the CHJCC.
Chief Harrison told local residents that he visited to see firsthand the scene of Monday night’s shooting, which is being investigated by a special task force to determine if it was a hate crime.
The group met at the Jewish Children’s Museum, and also visited 770 Eastern Parkway, where they spoke with residents. He also spoke with members of the Shomrim Volunteer Patrol group, who have assisted in the investigation.
Chief Harrison reassured shaken residents that the investigation is being done in as thorough a manner as possible.
Harrison called on the public to assist with information. Witnesses described the shooting as coming from a black sedan, possibly a Lincoln Town car. He asked that anyone with information or video footage to provide it to the police.
Earlier in the day, additional patrols were stationed throughout the neighborhood to ensure the safety of residents.
An additional 25 NYPD officers and 16 patrol cars have been stationed on Kingston Avenue and other locations in the neighborhood, Chanina Sperlin of the CHJCC told COLlive.com.
“We are thankful to the NYPD for their assistance and for their immediate attention to increasing security in the neighborhood,” Sperlin said.