New York City pols are looking to step up security at local synagogues after a weekend in which at least three houses of worship received bomb threats via email.
According to police sources, the NYPD did a deep dive investigation after a slew of synagogues across Manhattan and Brooklyn received shocking threats of violence on May 4, including claims that bombs had been placed at the houses of worship. Investigators swiftly determined these emails were not credible, yet that did not dissuade the anger and fear around the communities.
The threats coincided with national commemorations of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, a prayerful Jewish holy day in memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.
The Brooklyn Heights Synagogue. which received one of the threatening emails, said officers from the 84th Precinct conducted a search of the building; three workers inside the location at the time were evacuated out of an abundance of caution.
“Sadly, mass email threats to Jewish institutions known as ‘swatting’ have increased throughout the country, and yesterday’s non-credible threat was part of an ongoing, broader effort to instill fear and create havoc,” a statement released by the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue read.
Hours after the bomb threats, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Congress Member Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan) announced $400 million in new federal funds to bolster security at synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship.
Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said the May 4 bomb threats underscored the need for greater federal funding to combat antisemitism and violence.
“Last night’s bomb threats targeting New York City synagogues created immense fear, but sadly, these threats are not a total shock given the rise in antisemitism that we have seen and the overall spike in threats to places of worship,” Schumer said. “Amid these threats, especially those seen across the city and Long Island, we have just strengthened the federal program known as the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) so that we can boost security where it might be lacking. In the recent National Security Supplemental I just passed, I included an additional $400 million for this critical program because amid rising threats we need buttoned up security and amid the cascade of rising antisemitism, we need robust federal funds at the ready.”
Dubbed the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, the initiative helps institutions pay for more security staff and measures in order to keep them safe and secure. Congressman Nadler said he urges organizations to apply for the federal aid before the May 21 deadline.
“I encourage all eligible for this important program to apply and I’ll continue to work with Senator Schumer to ensure that every house of worship has the resources necessary to protect themselves against these rising threats,” Nadler said.
While Saturday’s bomb threats appeared to be a perverse prank, the NYPD says it is still investigating who sent the malicious messages.
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