Security For Religious, Cultural Groups In Clarkstown

From the Clarkstown Police Department

Clarkstown Police Chief Raymond McCullagh would like to inform everyone about our CaRES Unit (Cultural and Religious Security Unit). This unit was formed to help quell safety concerns in Clarkstown. The Clarkstown Police has provided training and addressed safety and security concerns with all of the cultural and faith based institutions within the Town of Clarkstown.

"The goal of units such as these is to open the lines of communication and build relationship," said Chief McCullagh. "This unit is just one of the many essential services we provide to help ensure the safety, security and to allay the fears of our residents."

The Clarkstown Police CaRES Unit was established in October of 2018. The department recognized the need for a highly trained unit after a rash of mass shootings targeting worshippers in churches, synagogues and mosques throughout the world.

Members of the unit have visited all of the cultural and faith based institutions within the Town of Clarkstown since the unit's inception. The unit has been called upon to administer such duties as security surveys, safety audits, emergency response guides, address on-going safety concerns, vulnerability assessments, stop-the-bleed training and also large event assessments and safety concerns. In regards to the safety audits/surveys performed, this unit will advise the institutions on such things as lightning, locks, cameras and where they should be implemented for optimal protection.

The CaRES Unit is made up of seven members: Lt. Steve Chernick, two ergeants and four Police Officers. The members have trained with CPTED Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and the FBI National Academy. The Clarkstown Police Department and all of its officers will continue to have a strong working relationship with all of the cultural and faith based institutions in our jurisdiction.