Following Rise in Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes, New York City Plans For Increased Security During High Holy Days

Following Rise in Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes, New York City Plans For Increased Security During High Holy Days

In recent weeks, three Orthodox Jewish men were attacked in New York in potentially bias-related incidents that led to major injuries.

With Rosh Hashanah less than two weeks away, the New York City Police Department announced its plans to increase police presence in Jewish neighborhoods and synagogues during the High Holy Days this fall.

Over the past year, more Jewish residents have been targets of hate crimes, according to data collected by the city. So far this year, there have been 152 complaints of anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York. Overall hate crime numbers are up, too, with 290 reported in 2019. That’s compared to 205 over the same period last year.

At a press conference Wednesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill acknowledged the increase in hate targeting Jews. They said that the department would redeploy its precinct personnel and specialized units, including critical response teams, in Jewish neighborhoods and near community centers.

“We’ve seen the rise of hate crimes in this city, even this year compared to last year, but we cannot be afraid,” de Blasio said, noting that it is his obligation to ensure that the Jewish community is protected throughout the year.

O’Neill asked for the community’s help in staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activity to police, particularly during the holidays. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration is set to begin on Sept. 28 and end on Oct. 1. Yom Kippur will follow a week later.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility,” O’Neill said. “It requires you to take ownership and keep an eye out in the neighborhoods where you live, where you work and where you worship. No one knows these streets better than you do, so we rely on you to let us know when something doesn’t look right.”

In recent weeks, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force has opened three investigations into attacks on Orthodox men, including incidents in which a Jewish man was beaten with a belt and a rabbi was hit in the face with a heavy paving stone, leading to a broken nose and two lost teeth.

The other incident involved an Orthodox man suffering an eye injury after people threw something, potentially ice, at his car while he was in traffic, CBS New York reported.

The press conference, which is held annually to keep Jewish leaders and residents informed of security measures for the holidays, aims to serve as a deterrent to anyone planning to attack Jews in the city, de Blasio said.

“We’re gathered today in solidarity, we’re gathered today in vigilance to always show the community that we’re on guard [and] to remind anyone who would do a malicious act toward this community that we are watching, and we will act, and there will be consequences,” de Blasio said. “We will not accept hatred in New York City.”

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.