In January, Trenton Police Lt. Alexis Durlacher, a friend, wrongfully gained identification as the Jew who cried wolf. Trenton City Council members dismissed a claim by Durlacher, a 20-year police veteran, that Arch Liston, interim director of Housing Economic Development, had made disturbing remar ks that connected to her Jewish faith. Even Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora joined a chorus of damnation that claimed the Durlacher accusations were “not substantiated.” These assertions allowed City Council members to perform an end run of protocol, obliged Gusciora to walk on a resolution to name Liston permanent HED without any public discussion , and delivered a unanimous 7-0 decision that uplifted the beleaguered cabinet member who once had resigned his position of chief of staff then returned. The Liston confirmation occurred despite an investigation determination that Durlacher had told the truth, plus, an acknowledgment by the city’s law department that corrective action would be enacted. Law Director Wes Bridges sent this email in September 2024 to Business Administrator Maria Richardson, Chief of Staff Jim Beach and Gusciora, four months prior to the vote by city council to confirm Liston. “Please find attached report on the Liston/Durlacher incident,” alerted Bridges. “In anticipation of litigation, we should adopt recommendations to offer a written warning and provide training which we already have in place. “I will have counsel draft a letter to Durlacher, “that the investigation is completed and based on the investigative report…..the city will be issuing certain discipline and other corrective action including, but not limited to, training in response to your complaint. This matter is now closed.” The Bridges forewarning proved accurate as a tort claim filed on behalf of Durlacher in October 2024 alleged Liston made disparaging remarks during a July incident that same year. The complaint notes Liston referenced the police officer and colleagues as “Nazis” and added that Durlacher and other employees at the Trenton Animal Shelter euthanize dogs in a manner similar to the operation of a Nazi concentration camp. An apparent settlement nears for Durlacher although terms of the agreement remain unavailable. Perhaps, the City of Trenton will offer an official public apology for inaction and actions exhibited during this deplorable ordeal and enforce policies that assure complaints receive thorough examination. While the world deals with another slaughter of Jews, this time in Australia on the first day of Hanukkah, we should not downplay this event involving Durlacher. Members of City Council, Mayor Gusciora, and the law department failed miserably to stand against anti-Semitism while others abandoned responsibilities to deliver consistent pushback against this pressing human matter. In 2019, former City Councilwoman Kathy McBride used a derisive Jewish phrase that attracted calls for her resignation by state leaders. Similar step-off requests tilted toward Council members George Muschal and Robin Vaughn who defended McBride. Mayor Gusciora referenced the incident as a “teachable moment” and noted “that words do matter, and that if they’re hurtful they should be either retracted or apologized for.” Amazingly, state leaders offered no intervention during the Durlacher incident despite the fact that she had been railroaded and lied about. No calls were made for the resignation of Mayor Gusciora or members of city council who said nothing after being duped. While McBride, Muschal, and Vaughn expressed regret for their involvement, persons involved in the Durlacher smear did not “retract or apologize.” Love when people proclaim no room exists for antisemitism, racism, gender discrimination, etc. Of course space exists for all of the aforementioned problems because friendships, politics, and fear of being ostracized allow leeway for atrocious behaviors. As Bridges noted, many safeguards against racism and bigotry exist although they mean nothing without implementation. Vigilance remains key to the eradication of hate because without constant monitoring some person/persons with an axe to grind hunts Blacks in a Buffalo supermarket; stalk, rob, and murder gay men in New York City bars; or gun down Jews on Bondi Beach in Sydney. Liston resigned in June, leaving behind residue of antisemitism and disappointing memories of people in power who engaged in a conspiracy to conceal then did nothing when truth materialized. While violent acts of hate regarding diversity and non-acceptance gain our attention, we would be wise to push back against the most minute indiscretion. A famous saying notes, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (women) to do nothing.” L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].   ...read more read less