We are shocked by this week’s two, horrific, unprovoked assaults in two neighborhoods in two days. The Boro Park and the Crown Heights attackers each clearly intended to cause serious bodily harm, as they pummeled and chased their Jewish victims even when they tried to run away.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of NY (JCRC-NY) commends the local Shomrim, the 66 and the 71 precincts of the NYPD, for the swift arrests of each attacker. An intensive, ongoing investigation by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is underway. They are highly skilled professionals and we are confident that their investigators will follow the evidence wherever it leads.

In addition, we support an increased NYPD patrol presence in Boro Park and Crown Heights which would reassure the residents that their communities are safe.

We agree with Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez that: “Hate and intolerance as we’ve seen in recent days have no place in our city.” The best antidote for gratuitous hate crimes is the prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators. The District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Unit is vigorously investigating both assaults and both of these perpetrators should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

###