Teaneck Officials Speak on Floyd Killing; 'Time For Real Action'

TEANECK, NJ — Deputy Mayor Elie Y. Katz joined Township Manager Dean Kazinci in condemning the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, 46, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota when a white officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes. Video of Floyd's death went viral, and sparked protests across the state and country.

"This pandemic has taught us the value of all lives. It is impossible to wrap my head around the fact that many continue to suffer the ravages of racism and hatred. The time for talking is over. It is time for real action," he wrote in his "Tid-Bits" newsletter.

"A statement is not merely enough. I stand against hate, the same way I stand against antisemitism, racism, terrorism and random acts of violence."

Last week, Township Manager Dean Kazinci released a statement stating his belief in the Teaneck force, but doubling down on the idea that bad actors will not be tolerated.

"Although the tragedy in Minneapolis, Minnesota occurred hundreds of miles away, the impact is felt all over the nation and world, especially in the African American community," he said.

"As a previous member of the law enforcement community, I know that those in this profession, especially our brave men and women at the Teaneck Police Department, work earnestly to serve our community with fairness and sincerity. However, we cannot permit or accept those who stain the profession and promote distrust amongst our communities. This type of conduct will not be tolerated."

On Tuesday, Teaneck Police Chief Glenn O'Reilly issued a statement on behalf of himself and the department, calling the images of Floyd's death "deeply disturbing".

"We as a Department and individually as human beings are horrified by the footage of Mr. Floyd’s death at the hands of someone sworn to uphold the law and serve a community," he wrote.

"We condemn such actions when an officer uses violent force against civilians without justification. They are wrong. They do a disservice to the vast majority of law enforcement officers committed to upholding the highest standards of the profession. We cannot tolerate those who stain the profession and promote hate and distrust amongst our communities. We stand with our community, other law enforcement officials, public officials and peaceful protestors across the country to make clear that abusive police practices will not be tolerated anywhere."

In addition to a message from Katz and Kazinci, Congregation Rinat Yisrael President Bina Faber and Rabbi Yosef Adler released a statement.

"Congregation Rinat Yisrael reaffirms its unambiguous condemnation of racism or hatred in any form. We express our condolences to the family of George Floyd, and express our support for the African-American community particularly those with whom we share our beautiful Township of Teaneck," they said.

"Teaneck has a long history of tolerance and mutual understanding, and we are proud bearers of that legacy. Congregation Rinat Yisrael is committed to advancing that legacy going forward.

The Teaneck Jewish Center, in a statement, said the country is facing "deeply troubled" times. "The scourge of the pandemic has now been compounded by the worst racial unrest we have seen in many years, and even decades," it read.

According to the statement, representatives from the Jewish center have been in contact with both police and the leader's of Teaneck's "African-American faith leaders and communities".

They also joined the chorus of voices from across the country in fully condeming the actions of the now former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

"There are no words for the act of ruthlessness and brutality which occurred in Minneapolis other than the one with which the police officer who killed George Floyd was charged: murder," read the statement.