On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Lakewood Community Coalition held its first quarterly meeting at the historic and elegant Strand Theater. The event united faith leaders, community leaders, first responders, and local resources to engage in meaningful dialogue around immigration policy and community safety.
The keynote speaker, Arthur Wilson Jr., from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and his assistant James LaForge, addressed current federal immigration policies and enforcement practices. Co-Chairs Captain Steve Allaire and Dr. Cori Scotti led the meeting, framing the discussion, with Captain Allaire providing an overview of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive, offering clarity on how state policies differ from federal approaches. Dr. Scotti also played a key role in coordinating community engagement and ensuring the meeting promoted open, inclusive dialogue.
Sgt. E. Chaudry from the Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness led an informative Q&A session, helping attendees better understand the distinctions between federal and state initiatives and their implications for the local community.
The **Community Resource Unit—Sgt. Michael Conrad, Patrolman Jason Yahr, Kevin Bell, Jeffrey Emmons, and Joseph Soriano—**shared updates on their ongoing efforts and quarterly events aimed at building trust and support within the community.
We extend special thanks to D/Sgt. Jeannette Shimonovich and Sgt. Peter LaRosa for their coordination, and to Patrick Sample, Traffic Safety.
We are also deeply grateful to our community partners: The Strand Theater for hosting us in such a grand venue, Andrei Jackamets for capturing the essence of the event through his photography, Tacos Madrigal of Lakewood, NJ for generously providing a delicious meal, June D’Elia for the sweet candy treats, and Alejandra Morales from Casa De La Tia for the homemade cookies that added a warm touch to the gathering.