Shomrim patrol leadership photographed alongside NYPD officer, highlighting close ties in Brooklyn’s Orthodox communities.

The Protectors or the Privileged? Players 1–9

Originally published October 3, 2022. Rewritten and expanded in April 2025 for clarity, relevance, and citation integrity.

Within Brooklyn’s insular Orthodox Jewish communities, the Shomrim patrols were founded to provide neighborhood safety. Over time, however, these groups have been accused of shifting from protectors to powerful insiders—operating in a gray zone between community service and political clout. Their leaders maintain deep connections with police, politicians, and religious authorities, creating complex dynamics that blur lines between civilian vigilance and institutional influence.

Above: Shomrim leaders pose with NYPD officials at a Borough Park coordination meeting.

Player 1: Jeremy Reichberg

Jeremy Reichberg, once a prominent Borough Park liaison and fundraiser, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for orchestrating a NYPD bribery scheme. Prosecutors detailed his exchange of lavish gifts—including overseas trips and escorts—in return for special police treatment. [Source: DOJ]

Player 2: Pinny Ringel

Formerly Mayor de Blasio’s liaison to the Orthodox Jewish community and a long-time member of Shomrim, Pinny Ringel has been both praised for his bridge-building and scrutinized for his political maneuvering. [Source: Mishpacha Magazine]

Player 3: Moshe Wieder

Wieder, Vice Chair of Brooklyn Community Board 12, is affiliated with the Wieder Family Foundation. According to IRS records, the organization distributed tens of thousands to religious and educational institutions while maintaining minimal overhead. This raised concerns about public accountability in leadership-linked charities. [Source: ProPublica]

Player 4: David Greenfield

As NYC Council’s Land Use Chair, Greenfield helped shape the city’s zoning laws. His strong support base in Orthodox communities and ties to Shomrim-aligned leadership gave him influence over development decisions. [Source: Wikipedia]

Player 5: Barry Spitzer

Spitzer, District Manager of CB12, organized NYPD banquets that later came under federal review. Though cleared of wrongdoing, his leadership has been tied to internal disputes over transparency and Shomrim support. [Source: VIN News]

Player 6: R’ Yidel Perlstein

Yidel Perlstein was the first Hasidic chair of CB12. Under his tenure, Shomrim’s influence within the board and borough politics expanded dramatically. [Source: NYC.gov]

Player 7: Jacob “Yanky” Daskal

Daskal, founder and coordinator of Boro Park Shomrim, was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2023 for transporting and abusing a 15-year-old girl. His conviction marked a turning point in public scrutiny of Orthodox-affiliated patrols. [Source: AP News]

Player 8: Detective Mike Milici

Detective Mike Milici, a longtime community affairs officer with the NYPD’s 66th Precinct, became entangled in a federal corruption probe in 2016. After invoking his Fifth Amendment rights during a federal grand jury hearing concerning alleged gifts from businessmen to NYPD officers, Milici was suspended and subsequently fired. Despite his dismissal, he retained his full pension, as he was neither arrested nor convicted of a crime. [Source: Bklyner] [Source: CBS News]

Player 9: Shaya “Alex” Lichtenstein

Alex “Shaya” Lichtenstein, a former member of the Borough Park Shomrim, was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for bribing NYPD officers to expedite gun license approvals for his clients. Operating as an expediter, Lichtenstein charged clients between $10,000 and $16,000 per application, funneling portions of these fees to officers in the NYPD’s Licensing Division. This scheme led to Gun Licenses in Brooklyn in Exchange for Political Favors – More of Shaya Lichtenstein Investigation

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