A Letter to the Lakewood Community:
Yesterday, I visited Judaica Plaza, and as I was leaving, I noticed a minivan with two young children inside. The doors and windows were closed, the ignition was off, and the oldest child appeared to be no older than four years old. There was no adult present with them.
Initially, I felt uncertain about what to do. On one hand, I was reminded of the tragedy from last week, where a child tragically lost their life after being left in a car. On the other hand, the children seemed mobile and capable of opening the door themselves.
I didn’t see the parent or guardian and wasn’t sure which store they had entered. Additionally, I worried that if I went into a store searching for the adult, someone might call the police, and I was uncertain if that would be the right response. After observing the situation for a few minutes (with the hopes someone will come out), and I was unable to stay longer due to prior commitments. I ultimately decided to leave, but my inaction weighed heavily on my mind.
Later, while davening Mincha at Bais Havaad, I spoke with Reb Sholom Kaminetsky and asked for guidance on what to do in a similar situation in the future.
He advised me to call Hatzolah.
This way, the children will be safe, and the appropriate message will be conveyed to the guardian.
I am sharing this for the benefit of our community.
Please do not follow my example of hesitation; instead, do as I was instructed.
Sincerely,
Shimon Weinstein
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Lakewood Alerts. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
Isn’t this obviously the minimum needed? If Hatzolah are called to a car by someone unconnected to the children, with no parent or guardian present, with minors locked inside do they not have an obligation to call the police? People who leave their children locked in unattended vehicles are endangering their lives. Period.
Calling Hatzolah is dealing with the problem, indeed a timely and urgent concern, but not the cause: criminally negligent parents or guardians.
If I see this situation, I’m immediately cracking a window and getting the kids out. It’s a win-win situation. The kids will be safe, and the parents will come back to a smashed window and have to pay to get it replaced, if that doesn’t teach them a lesson, I don’t know what will…
Don’t hurt yourself trying.
Don’t call Hatzolah they will call Chaveirim just call chaveirim direct and if the children need medical attention they will call Hatzolah.
But, Hatzola has to report the incident, I think. But, who cares. Aren’t we out for the welfare of the babies? After what just happened, the parents are still not in their right mind????
How many more babies have to Chas v’sholom disappear before they learn. GO BUY THAT GADGET AND BE ALERTED THAT YOUR KIDS ARE SITTING BACK THERE. Hashem Yishmor.
But, Hatzola has to report the incident, I think. But, who cares. Aren’t we out for the welfare of the babies? After what just happened, the parents are still not in their right mind????
How many more babies have to Chas v’sholom disappear before they learn. Hashem Yishmor.
Better can chaverim as they can open the car….
I’ve been told by many Lakewood rabbonim to call shomrim or chaverim, as they are equipt to handle these situations, not Haztola because they can’t open the vehicle nor locate the parents. But if you suspect the child is in immediate danger, break the window and call hatzalah for medical and shomrim to locate the parents.
I once had a neighborhood family who was way too laid back,,found a two year old walking a few blocks down.
R’ Shenky z”tl told us “next time call me” ill make sure it never happens again,
Leaving there and not making a call makes you a second party to negligence. Becasue the parent is irresponsible, they are still children and cant’ fend for themselves.
I would have called police. Guarantee theyll never do it again.
That’s why nobody is asking for your advice. Why not try to learn from Da’as Torah. Same result, no parent would do it again, after being contacted by Hatzola/Shomrim. But without the drama.