NYPD top brass held their annual Passover security briefing on Wednesday, continuing a 50-year tradition of addressing public safety at synagogues and temples around New York as the holiday approaches.
Assistant Commissioner of the Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau Rebecca Weiner said that while there are no active threats known to the department, she assured that the police department will not rest on its laurels.
During the March 29 briefing at One Police Plaza attended by prominent members of the Jewish community, Weiner addressed a report last week that indicated that there has been 3,700 anti-Semitic incidents across the country in 2022, a 37% increase from 2021. With that in mind, she noted, the NYPD will maintain an increased, vigilant presence at houses of worship throughout Passover.
“Over the next few weeks, you’re going to see a heightened presence of our officers and our resources whether it’s in the form of roving patrols from our critical response command vehicles. We will also be posting vehicles and personnel outside of synagogues around the city,” Weiner told faith leaders.
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell also addressed attendees, noting that hate crimes have dropped by 50% this year in NYC. While fighting crime is law enforcement’s top priority, Commissioner Sewell also stated, it is imperative that officers meet and greet the community they are protecting.
“So that when you see an NYPD officer, you will feel safe. That is why we are holding this briefing, to advance this pledge,” Sewell said. “I hope that we can continue to foster a close collaboration for the betterment of our city.”
Top police officials say this relationship between the NYPD and community members is so important due to an influx of hate speech. While hate crimes have fallen in the Big Apple itself, Weiner noted that the anti-Semitic propaganda has more than doubled between 2021 and 2022, equaling to a disturbing 10 anti-Semitic incidents a day in 2022.
Sergeant Jesse Ankele of the Hate Crime Task Force also stressed the importance of maintaining a close relationship in order to keep the community safe and informed.
“Today, members of the Hate Crime Task Force assure you that we want to know. We want to hear you, help you, and continue to foster an open line of communication so that we live in a society free from fear. Please rest assured that we will stop at nothing to bring closure and seek justice on behalf of all of us,” Ankele.
