Mayor, Commissioner Promise New Efforts Against Hate Groups Before They Attack
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The mayor and new police commissioner spent much of the day in Williamsburg discussing the city's response to the targeted attack in Jersey City.
The community there is in mourning, reports CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas.
On Wednesday they buried Mindel Ferencz and Moshe Deutsch, former Brooklyn residents who were gunned down in the shooting attack on Tuesday.
"The innocent cry of the 11-year-old child of Mindle, crying when am I going to see you again," said Rabbi David Niederman of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, Inc. "We have to stop hate."
At a Jewish community center, faith leaders met with Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea who reinforced their promise to keep them safe.
"What then do you say to this community that doesn't just sound like words," said de Blasio. "It is police presence. It is prosecutions. It's showing we will not tolerate by our actions this kind of hatred."
Meeting With Jewish Leaders In Brooklyn
MORE: Jersey City Shooting Being Investigated As Potential Act Of Domestic Terrorism
Off-camera, Jewish residents told CBS2 they welcome the additional officers to help curb the spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes. Some say they're terrified and believe what happened in Jersey City could happen anywhere.
A new NYPD task force is charged with identifying and thwarting hate groups before they attack.
"Certainly Jersey City was an act of domestic terrorism, and there's a common theme that I mentioned yesterday and it's ignorance and it's hate," said Shea.
Educating children is also part of the overall strategy. The mayor says the biggest obstacle is lurking online.
"Social media, which is a blessing in one way, everyone acknowledges that has been an enabling reality for those purveying hate," said de Blasio.
MORE: De Blasio Announces New NYPD Unit Focusing On Racially And Ethnically Motivated Extremism
While authorities say there are no immediate or credible threats to Jewish communities in the city, police told CBS2 they will increase their presence in specific neighborhoods indefinitely, especially since the investigation into what happened in Jersey City is not over.
On Monday, faith leaders from other denominations will be meeting to discuss the Jersey City attack and consider further efforts to keep their communities safe.
JERSEY CITY SHOOTING COMPLETE COVERAGE
- 'They Came To Kill:' Mayor Says Shooters' Social Media Offers Possible Motive
- Attackers Identified, Considered Prime Suspects In Recent Killing Of Uber Driver In Bayonne
- Det. Seals Remembered As A 'Cop's Cop,' Funeral Arrangements Announced
- Victims Identified As 'Pioneer,' Volunteer And Worker
- Mayor De Blasio: 'Don't Treat The Holocaust Like Something That Could Never Happen Again'
- Anti-Defamation League Talks On Fear Gripping Jewish Community
- CBS2 Journalists Recount Fear Of Being In Harm's Way
- Barrage Of Gunfire Heard In Jersey City As Police Move On Shooting Suspects
- Photos: Scenes From Jersey City's Deadly Shootout
- More…