Senior members of the New Jersey State Police recently visited Lakewood’s Jewish community for a day of engagement, education and relationship-building, with stops at local schools and volunteer emergency organizations.

The delegation included Major Dante J. Ruocco, Troop D Commander; Captain Andrew Economou, Deputy Troop D Commander; and Lieutenant Patrick Barlow of Troop D’s Holmdel Station.

The visit began at Bnos Yaakov, the school of Rabbi Yossi Hershkowitz, a veteran Hatzolah paramedic and New Jersey State Police chaplain.

The group also visited Beth Medrash Govoha (BMG) and the Hatzolah dispatch center, where they met with Motti Bakst of Hatzolah operations. The delegation was shown Hatzolah’s operations at the dispatch center.

Motty Twerski, an Ocean County EMS Coordinator and board member of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services (NJOEMS) Council and National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC), addressed collaboration and communication among EMS agencies throughout the county, as well as coordination with state licensing agencies and regulatory authorities. He discussed working together while maintaining compliance with New Jersey’s EMS regulations, licensing requirements and operational standards.

At the Chaveirim Central Jersey command center, the visitors saw the organization’s garage, equipment and Search & Rescue vehicles, including utility vehicles, portable lighting and a Search & Rescue SUV. Other photos show the officers inside a shul and outside Campus Bet Yoseph Safra.

The visit offered State Police leadership a closer look at the community’s educational institutions and volunteer response networks. The engagement emphasized personal relationships, ongoing dialogue and a shared commitment to public safety.