Anti-Semitism surges in Brooklyn as NYPD ramps up synagogue patrols

On Sept. 5, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said police would step up patrols near synagogues in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The reason for this was the increase in the number of anti-Semitic attacks taking place throughout the area, reports New York Jewish Week.

“In response to these senseless attacks, we have set up a 22/27 car watch outside the meetinghouse,” Sewall said at a press conference on Lynch Street in Brooklyn. In the same place where on August XNUMX the suspect hit the XNUMX-year-old man.

The increased police presence comes amid a continued rise in hate crimes across the city. In July 2022, the NYPD reported a 50% increase in hate crimes compared to July 2021. At the same time, the number of crimes motivated by anti-Semitism increased by 114%.

On August 21 in Williamsburg, a 72-year-old and a 64-year-old Jew were sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher. According to the police. All victims of these attacks recover.

“These victims are believed to have been targeted because they are Jewish,” Sewell said. “No one deserves to be the victim of such senseless, hateful violence.”

On the subject: Anti-Semitism in New York: Number of crimes against Jews increased by 300% in a month

The press conference on Monday was attended by numerous representatives of the local Orthodox Jewish community. Including Joel Eisendorfer, City Hall Senior Counsel and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the United Jewish Organization of Williamsburg Sam Stern.

Stern said the police presence is sometimes hard to see on the streets.

“We'll see if they really become more visible,” Stern added. “The fact that the Commissioner came down and paid attention to us means that they are taking this seriously.”

Indig, a social activist in the Satmar Hasidic sect, blames the bail reform system.

The bail system unfairly burdens the poor and makes people more desperate and unstable. And bail reform critics say the system keeps violent suspects on the streets.

“The police are doing their job,” Indig said. “They put people under lock and key. And then, a few hours later, the guy is back on the street. If the system is broken, what can the police do?”

While increased police presence in front of synagogues is only the beginning, it may not be enough. “There were three hate crimes last week. But there was nothing in front of the synagogue,” Indig said. “Will it help if it happens two blocks from the synagogue?” Probably not."

The number of arrests made by the Hate Crime Task Force has increased by more than 100% this year.

At the same time, the number of arrests for attacks on Jewish New Yorkers increased by 45%.

Carrington Maddox, 31, was charged with assault and hate-motivated threats for the slapping incident. And on September 5, a 14-year-old boy was charged with incidents with a fire extinguisher.

Sewell added that the NYPD is also increasing the number of Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs). They are the link between the police and the community.

“Your police will always be here for all New Yorkers,” she said.