Shielded by Authority: The Nexus Between NYPD’s 66th Precinct and Boro Park Shomrim Under Jacob Daskal

From 2012 to 2020, a troubling pattern emerged in Brooklyn’s Borough Park — revealing deep ties between NYPD’s 66th Precinct and the Boro Park Shomrim, a volunteer patrol group. Under Jacob Daskal’s leadership, Shomrim operated not only as a neighborhood safety unit but also as an entity with backdoor access to police influence, raising serious concerns about accountability and corruption.

Who Are the Shomrim?

Shomrim (Hebrew for “guards” or “watchers”) are volunteer neighborhood watch groups operating primarily within Orthodox Jewish communities in cities like New York, London, and Baltimore. While originally formed to protect Jewish neighborhoods from anti-Semitic crime, Shomrim have grown into semi-official safety patrols. They often work closely with local police, but critics argue their lack of formal oversight allows for bias and cover-ups within insular communities. Their complex role in public safety has led to both praise and concern. [Wikipedia]

The Gun Permit Scandal

In 2016, the NYPD License Division bribery case shocked the department. Officers were caught accepting bribes in exchange for expedited gun permits. A central figure, Shomrim member Alex “Shaya” Lichtenstein, was convicted for attempting to bribe NYPD officers. High-ranking officials from the 66th Precinct were implicated in the scheme. [Forward News Source]

Though Jacob Daskal wasn’t charged in that case, his relationships with NYPD officers and politicians were well known. In 2023, he was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for transporting a minor across state lines to engage in sexual activity. Despite his serious crimes, community and institutional backing shielded him for years. [DOJ Source]

Community Policing or Parallel Justice?

Shomrim has long operated in Orthodox Jewish communities like Borough Park, often providing rapid response and local familiarity. However, critics argue that their influence has created a form of parallel justice — where insiders receive preferential treatment and cases are resolved through informal community power structures.

The organization’s practices and authority are outlined in the public record, such as the Wikipedia entry on Shomrim. While the group has contributed to local safety, it has also faced criticism over selective policing, lack of transparency, and lack of oversight.

Backdoor Influence & Broken Trust

Leaked emails and investigative reporting have shown informal communications between Shomrim and NYPD leadership — often bypassing standard channels. In several instances, Shomrim members were tipped off about investigations or complaints. This undermined trust in both the patrol group and public law enforcement, especially when misconduct was downplayed or ignored.

Community Oversight Needed

Following Daskal’s conviction and the gun permit scandal, activists are calling for clear reforms, including:

• Independent oversight of all auxiliary patrols
• Transparent protocols between NYPD and civilian safety groups
• Accountability mechanisms for organizations that suppress reporting of abuse or crime

While community watch groups can play a vital role in safety, they must never replace the legal system — or obstruct it. A healthy justice system relies on transparency and equality, not privilege and protectionism.

Further Reading:

• Jacob Daskal’s Civil Suit
• Judicial Failures in Handling Child Sex Abuse
• How Religious Institutions Enable Police Misconduct

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#BoroPark #GunPermitScandal #ParallelJustice #CoverUpCulture #CivilianOversight
#NeighborhoodWatch #JusticeForAll #InstitutionalAbuse #LawEnforcementReform