Brooklyn's Progress
December 2002

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is encouraging businesses across Brooklyn to make a donation to help the family of Irene Clermont, an auxiliary police officer, who suffered a fatal stroke while serving her community.

Ms. Clermont died while on assignment for the 69th Precinct patrolling the streets of Canarsie on October 31.  She had only been on the team for seven weeks.

“Irene Clermont was one of New York’s unsung heroes,” New York State Assemblyman Frank Seddio (39th District), said.  “She gave her time and energy unselfishly.  Her loss was a loss to the entire community.”

Auxiliary Police is a volunteer organization that is part of the Police Department.  Auxiliary officers patrol the streets for free and they receive no benefits.  After completing a 16-week training course, they get an identification badge and are assigned unarmed patrols in their neighborhoods.  Many of them have other jobs. 

Ms. Clermont, 39, was a housewife and she had two children, a son, Guy, 14, and a daughter, Cybil, 12.  The Haitian immigrant arrived in New York from her native land in 1981 and married Guy Clermont in 1989.  Ms. Clermont studied for two years at Tuoro College, then decided that she wanted to dedicate her life to her family and her community.

“NY City Councilman Lou Fidler quote about how the community benefits from the Auxiliary Police”

“The Auxiliary Police provide a tremendous service to the community, working with the Police Department to serve and protect neighborhoods,” Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, said. “The Brooklyn Chamber is reaching out to its members and to all businesses across the borough to show their appreciation for the fine work
of auxiliary officers, and especially to the family of Irene Clermont during their time of need.”

Members of the 69th Precinct Community Council are working to get donations to pay the funeral home and the cemetery costs.  Ms. Clermont was buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery after a funeral at the Holy Family Church on Flatlands Ave. and Rockaway Parkway on November 12.  The church donated its services.

Donations may be sent directly to the 69th Precinct Community Council, 9720 Foster Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.  11236.

Founded in 1918, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is a business assistance and economic development organization dedicated to helping Brooklyn businesses grow and to promoting economic development.  With more than 1,200 members from neighborhoods all across the borough, the Brooklyn Chamber is the largest Chamber of Commerce in New York City and one of the fastest-growing business associations in the region.  Its membership includes many types of businesses – family owned stores, specialty manufacturers, wholesale distributors, cultural and educational institutions, technology companies, and large corporations including KeySpan, Verizon and JP Morgan Chase.