Lakewood, N.J. – Police officers in Lakewood are being trained and encouraged to assist the more than 60,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish residents in the community with tasks such as turning off light switches and picking up medication during Sabbath and Jewish holidays.

An Orthodox Jew in Lakewood who cannot use modern devices during the 25 hours of Sabbath now know they can utilize police officers for special assistance, such as driving a car to run errands, turning lights on or off, or turning on heat or air conditioning.

Through the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Bagels, Lox and Cops events, which was held on Nov. 13 officers were learning about how the Orthodox community strictly adheres to the rules of the Jewish faith including rules for keeping food kosher, observing the Sabbath, observing Jewish holidays and how to handle a potential body at a crime scene or autopsy, reports App.com (http://on.app.com/1xl0cLq).

Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson said that the members of the Orthodox community will help train officers for unique situations that could arise during Sabbath or Jewish holidays.

Lawson joined the department in 1981, and has seen Lakewood change greatly over the last 33 years with the growth of the Orthodox community.

“I encourage community policing where if they’re riding around during a holiday or during the Sabbath and someone is requesting to give them assistance, I encourage officers to do that,” said Lawson.

Information taken from App.com