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De Blasio’s War on Hate: Neighborhood Patrols, More Police, Teaching Tolerance

De Blasio’s War on Hate: Neighborhood Patrols, More Police, Teaching Tolerance

By Yochonon Donn

New York – Amid a record rise in anti-Semitic assaults, and a day after a horrific stabbing attack at the home of a Monsey rebbe wounded five, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Sunday new initiatives in combating anti-Semitism.

The program envisions the creation of Neighborhood Safety Coalitions that would patrol neighborhoods, an increased NYPD presence, and adding lessons on hate to public school curriculums.

“Fearing the next act of terror will not become the new normal for our Jewish neighbors,” de Blasio said. “In New York City, diversity is our strength and we respect the traditions of all who call New York City home. Intolerance will never take hold here.”

The mayor made the announcement at a press conference at Grand Army Plaza, shortly before he participated in a menorah lighting ceremony at the site, which boasts the world’s largest menorah. He was surrounded by representatives of the Orthodox community, which is reeling from a dramatic rise in anti-Semitic violence, which culminated Motzoei Shabbos with an attack in the Kossoner rebbe of Forshay’s home as he was lighting Chanuka lecht.

The NYPD will increase patrols by four to six officers in precincts in Boro Park, Midwood, Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Williamsburg. In addition to an increased NYPD presence at houses of worship and during local events, six new light towers will be posted in Boro Park and additional security cameras will be installed throughout these neighborhoods.

There have been 15 new light towers installed this month.
The new Neighborhood Safety Coalitions will launch in Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Boro Park, and will be overseen by the newly created Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. These individual coalitions will identify and address issues that drive hate-based crimes, bringing together stakeholders from across their communities.
They will meet community members where they are — in schools, on street corners, in religious institutions — to be a regular presence to deter acts of hate.
Each coalition will gather regularly to strategize about ways to interrupt hate acts before they happen.
The coalitions will identify and offer programming within their neighborhoods that foster community and connect directly with local youth in and after school hours.
The coalitions are based on the model already used by residents in East Flatbush and Williamsburg/Bushwick to combat gun violence.

The mayor said that the department of education will implement hate crime awareness lessons beginning next month for middle and high schools in Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Boro Park. Curriculum on hate crimes will be launched at middle and high schools in these neighborhoods beginning in the upcoming school year this September. These curriculum resources will also be available to middle and high schools citywide.

The department will use their annual Respect for All week in February to focus on preventing and addressing hate crimes. Schools are encouraged to develop opportunities for students to discuss what discrimination and religious intolerance might look like in a school and explore the positive actions they can take to promote acceptance, inclusion, and the diversity of their communities.

The city will also launch a series of advertising and social media campaigns to highlight the city’s diversity and encourage respect for all communities.

“The NYPD stands with members of the Jewish community. We will continue our increased patrols and the targeted deployment of Counterterrorism officers at key locations to ensure that everyone is safe,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “We also need the public’s help — if you see anything suspicious, call 911 or flag down a police officer right away. There is no place for hate in NYC, or anywhere.”


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