An emergency task force will be charged with looking at the rise in hate crimes against Jews and Muslims, Public Advocate Letitia James said Tuesday.
Citywide, there were 224 attacks investigated as potential hate crimes as of Sept. 14, a 17% increase from last year.
Religious community leaders on the task force will aim to make policy recommendations to help curb the increase, James said.
“Our city belongs to all New Yorkers regardless of which religion they adhere to or whether they affiliate with any religion at all,” James said in a statement. “We stand united in supporting every community in New York and creating a climate that fosters acceptance.”
Police have said the increase is due, in part, to the tensions in the Middle East.
