The NYPD is beefing up security at Big Apple synagogues, mosques and other potential terror targets as the Jewish holidays and the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel draw near.
While no active threats loom, New York’s Finest is making sure they don’t get blindsided.
“We do maintain that there are not any specific or credible threats to this specific event right now, but in the threat environment that we’re confronted with, we have, obviously, a lot going on,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner told reporters Wednesdays.
“We have a history in this city of incidents involving Hezbollah’s external security organization.”
Cops have already stepped up their game since the sneak attack by Hamas nearly a year ago, which sparked an Israeli counteroffensive that prompted sometimes-violent pro-Palestinian protests in the city.
But the approach of the anniversary, coupled with Israel’s state of war with Hezbollah, Hamas and Houthis rebels in Yemen, the department is increasing patrols and security at vulnerable sites, officials said. The tensions come as Rosh Hashanah was set to begin Wednesday evening, with the Yom Kippur holiday coming next.
“This organization is a professional organization,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “No matter what happens in the city and any particular time to any individuals, the operation continues. I served in this department. I know how professional they are, and we are going to keep New York safe.”
Police data show that complaints of antisemitic incidents in the five boroughs have spiked in the past year, with 275 through the end of September this year compared to 157 over the same period last year.
So far in 2024, complaints about antisemitic incidents have accounted for nearly 56% of all bias complaints in the city, up from 41% over the same span in 2023.
Weiner said intelligence remains key to thwarting potential terror attacks.
“Just three weeks ago, a Canadian ISIS supporter was arrested 12 miles north of the US Canada border,” the deputy commissioner said. “He was planning to conduct what would have been a horrific attack against a synagogue in Brooklyn to kill as many Jews as possible, coinciding with Oct. 7.
“And this is exactly what all these counterterrorism resources are meant to do, identify, mitigate a threat before it materializes on our streets,” she said.
The heightened presence over the coming weeks will include enhanced patrols at synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship, along with “heavy waves” of police crisis response and canine teams deployed throughout the five boroughs.
Meanwhile, the NYPD aviation unit will increase patrols while the intelligence until will continue to monitor any leads in an effort to thwart potential terror attacks.
Albany will also do its part — in a briefing Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul called the situation an “urgent public safety concern” and said state agencies will also be on alert.
“We have spent months preparing for this time of the year,” she told reporters. “We knew tensions would be high, particularly as we deal with the high holy holidays, as well as the advent of the one year anniversary of Oct.7.”
She said state officials this week had a “confidential intelligence briefing” that included Adams.
“The most important takeaway from yesterday’s conversation and further briefings today is that there are no known threats to New Yorkers at this time,” Hochul said. “Again, there’s no known threats.”
The governor said state police and other Empire State agencies would beef up their presence around synagogues, mosques and major hubs like mass transportation centers.
“I also conveyed this at a gathering of Jewish leaders to let them know that there are no known threats but to make sure that the relationships are strong so they know we are there to be of assistance preemptively and be there if anything should occur,” Hochul said.
Additional reporting by Vaughn Golden and Steve Vago
