NYPD Beefs Up Security Around Jewish Sites Ahead Of Passover
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The recent deadly attack at a Jewish school in Toulouse, France has prompted additional vigilance in New York City ahead of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Passover.
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Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told a room of Jewish leaders on Tuesday that there will be extra security in Jewish neighborhoods as well as places of worship.
"Visits by officers to synagogues, outreach by community affairs officers, a heightened presence of anti-crime units to deter theft, and patrols by special house of worship cars," Kelly said.
Some locations may get surprise visits from the NYPD's Hercules teams - specially trained, heavily armed officers charged with disrupting terrorism.
While he did not mention any specific threat, Kelly said the city faces constant threats from Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and so-called "lone wolf" terrorists like the gunman who attacked the school in France. A Rabbi, two of his children, and another girl were killed.
Kelly said that the increased patrols have nothing to do with do with an image found online that said "Al Qaeda: Coming Soon Again In New York."
Passover starts at sundown Friday and celebrates the Jewish people's exodus from slavery in Egypt.
Is the NYPD doing a good job of keeping the city safe? What do you make of the stepped up security? Sound off in the comments section below.
