Last month, a suspect was arrested by the NYPD with the assistance of Flatbush Shomrim volunteers following an attempted robbery in the Flatbush neighborhood.
Shomrim volunteers initially observed four individuals behaving suspiciously while patrolling the area. The volunteers discreetly monitored the group and alerted authorities. Shortly thereafter, the suspects allegedly attempted to rob a victim near the intersection of Kings Highway and East 16th Street.
Investigators said the group confronted the victim and demanded his expensive coat. During the encounter, one of the suspects was reportedly in possession of a knife. Although the victim did not personally see a weapon, he later told authorities that the suspects threatened to kill him if he refused to remove his jacket, causing him to fear for his safety.
After the confrontation, the suspects fled the scene on foot. Shomrim volunteers, working in coordination with responding NYPD officers, pursued the group. Two of the suspects managed to escape. A third individual was briefly detained by police but was later released at the scene after questioning.
Following a short foot chase, the primary suspect was ultimately apprehended by NYPD officers near Avenue P and East 17th Street. The suspect was taken into custody.
New York City Moves Ahead with Camera Expansion Amid Ongoing Criticism
New York City’s plan to dramatically expand its red-light camera program is drawing growing criticism as the rollout moves forward. Under state legislation approved in late 2024, the city is authorized to increase the number of red-light camera locations from roughly 150 intersections to as many as 600. The NYC Department of Transportation has already begun implementing the expansion and is activating cameras in phases, adding approximately 50 new intersections per week, with the goal of completing the full rollout by the end of 2026.
Critics argue that the aggressive timeline prioritizes enforcement over thoughtful traffic planning. While city officials point to data showing fewer red-light violations at camera locations, opponents say the overall impact on traffic safety remains disputed, with some studies suggesting increases in rear-end collisions. They also note that even at 600 locations, cameras would still cover only a small portion of the city’s more than 13,000 signalized intersections, raising concerns about fairness and selective enforcement.
Additionally, critics question whether the program places an undue financial burden on working drivers, arguing that safer streets require better road design, clearer signals, and longer yellow lights – not just an expanded network of automated fines.
Miracles of Renewal: Life “Past” Forward
December was a meaningful month at Renewal, filled with multiple life-saving transplants and renewed hope for families across our community. One transplant in particular carried a story that felt deeply personal and profoundly generational.
On December 16, Beryl Joffre received a kidney transplant at Weill Cornell, donated by Mendy Lazar. For Beryl, this moment was about far more than surgery. It was about continuity, faith, and the power of family.
Beryl has been connected to Renewal since 2006. Over the years, he was listed at transplant centers across the country. When he began dialysis in August 2024, the waiting became heavier, but so did his hope.
What made this transplant especially meaningful was where it took place. Cornell is the same center where Beryl’s mother received her kidney transplant years earlier. Now, as a second-generation transplant recipient at the very same hospital, Beryl’s story reflects a legacy of life renewed.
Married and the father of three, Beryl shared that one of his biggest concerns was recovery time after the surgery. His twelve-year-old son’s bar mitzvah is in February, and his heartfelt wish was to be healthy and present to celebrate this milestone with strength and gratitude.
The donor’s story added another powerful layer. Mendy Lazar comes from a family where giving is woven into daily life. His wife and his brother-in-law have both donated kidneys as well, creating a family legacy of selflessness and courage.
This transplant reminds us that healing often runs through families. When generosity is passed down and shared, it becomes more than a gift. It becomes a legacy.