NYPD Asks for Ongoing Communication with Jews to Prevent Hate Crimes

By Yehudit Garmaise

Anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York City are down by 53%, said Mark Molinari, the commanding officer of the New York Police Department’s Hate Crime Task said yesterday during a meeting the NYPD hosted as part of the department’s efforts to provide extra police protection for New York's Jewish communities during Yom Tov.

Addressing 100 Jewish community leaders on Zoom, Molinari emphasized the NYPDS’s great awareness and sensitivity to the disturbing anti-Semitic acts of hate that we have, unfortunately, seen in the past few years.

 “We want you to know that we are listening to the concerns of Jewish community leaders, whom we see as our great partners in addressing any acts of hate,” emphasized Molinari, who requested ongoing communication with members of our local Jewish communities. “We need you to report anything suspicious and worrisome you notice in your neighborhoods so that we are sure not to miss any potential threats.”

Molinari said Jewish community members who notice anything worrisome or suspect in their communities should call 1-888-440-HATE and can e-mail: [email protected]. Boro Park residents also can contact their local NYPD Precinct 66 by calling (718) 851-5611 or the 66th Community Affairs number, which is: (718) 851-5601.

“We need your communication to help us track down any perpetrators of hate crimes,” said Molinari, who supervises 18 Detectives and 5 Supervisors who investigate and apprehend perpetrators of hate crimes in all five boroughs of the city.         

NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said, “We work vigilantly: 24 hours a day, with precinct police officers, detective squads, community leaders, and clergy members to fight all kinds of bias, prejudice, and hate.”

  “We will never tolerate hate in any form in our city,” insisted Shea, who proudly added that the NYPD has the biggest and the best Hate Crimes Task Force in the country. 

In addition to meeting with Jewish leaders yesterday, Jeffrey Maddrey, the commanding officer of community affairs, spoke in Chinatown to members of the Chinese-American community, who are also, unfortunately, recently experienced more hate crimes as a result of hostility generated by Covid-19’s potential roots in China.

 “We will continue to build and strengthen our partnerships in the Jewish communities across New York City to ensure that everyone in every neighborhood feels safe, especially during your holiday season,” Shea said with warmth and sincerity.

After the hours-long meeting with Jewish community members, Commissioner Shea posted on Twitter: “The NYPD remains committed to everyone’s safety: always. Today’s High Holy Days Briefing, via Zoom, to ensure that important, open dialogue continues with our community and religious leaders. Thank you to everyone who participated, and a peaceful High Holy Days to all.”