Friday, March 10, 2017

Bomb Threat Made Against JASA in Midwood, Brooklyn


Statement by Governor Andrew Cuomo

The bomb threat against JASA in Midwood is yet another repulsive and cowardly act that goes directly against our state’s values. By threatening a place that serves our most vulnerable New Yorkers, this is a particularly appalling incident in the recent wave of hate and anti-Semitism that has afflicted our communities. 

“When is enough enough? This is not who we are and not who we should be.”

“In response to this threat, I am directing the New York State Police to coordinate with federal and local law enforcement to launch a full investigation into this matter. We are committed to bringing whoever is responsible for this egregious act to justice.” 


Cuomo and De Blasio Increase Award Amount for
Info Leading to Arrest and Conviction of a Hate Crime

Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced an increase in the reward amount – from New York State's current $5,000 reward to a joint State-City $20,000 reward – for any information leading to an arrest and conviction for a hate crime. The increased amount follows a significant uptick in reported hate crimes and anti-Semitism in New York City, New York State and across the nation – including a bomb threat yesterday at the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn and earlier this week at the Anti-Defamation League in Manhattan.

"The Statue of Liberty holds the torch high in New York's Harbor, an eternal reminder that our state will always be the beacon for tolerance and acceptance," Governor Cuomo said. "We have zero tolerance for intolerance, and I encourage all New Yorkers to report any instance of hate, bias or discrimination. We will continue to aggressively work with our federal and local partners to hold those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law, keep our communities safe, and uphold our core values of diversity and inclusion."

"The recent spate of threats against our Jewish community are threats against all of us. Those directed at children are particularly disturbing. As New Yorkers, we stand united in the face of cowardly tactics designed to frighten, disrupt and divide us," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "I'm proud to join forces with the governor as we work with our local, state and federal partners in law enforcement to see that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. The NYPD is the finest police force in the world and I have no doubt those responsible for these incidents will not be able to hide in the shadows for long."

Reported hate crime incidents in New York State have dramatically increased over the last five months. More than 100 alleged hate crimes have been reported in New York City since the beginning of 2017 – more than double the number of reported incidents over the same period last year. The number of incidents reported outside of New York City in November and December of 2016 also doubled compared to the same period in 2015. 

New Yorkers who have experienced bias or discrimination are encouraged to call New York State’s toll-free hotline at (888) 392-3644 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MondayFriday or text “HATE” to 81336. 

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

No comments: