Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) met with members of the NYPD last night after two suspicious men were seen casing two shuls in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
The incident occurred on the Sabbath (Saturday) afternoon at around 4:15 pm when two men, described as being of Middle Eastern decent, attempted to enter the Beth Torah synagogue located on Ocean Parkway. The men were seen looking at the video camera and attempting to photograph the front of the building. A security guard on patrol outside the synagogue approached the men, instructing them to leave after recording their license plate and vehicle information. The suspicious men then drove off in a Blue Honda Accord. Both men were seen again in front of a second synagogue on Ocean Parkway about an hour later, according to reports.
The synagogue’s surveillance camera, as well as the many cameras that Hikind had installed throughout the community, are being thoroughly reviewed by the NYPD.
“I urge everyone to stay calm but remain cautious,” said Hikind. “The NYPD’s anti-terrorism unit is taking this matter very seriously and doing everything that they should in light of a potential threat. If anyone has any information, they are urged to contact the police immediately.”
For months, Assemblyman Hikind has been working with community schools and institutions to increase preparedness for potential terrorist situations. The Assemblyman recently brought NYPD anti-terror specialists and the NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to his office to meet with a packed room of representatives from local mosdos with the goal of moving beyond the talking stage of counter terrorism.
A surveillance video of the two suspicious men can be seen HERE.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
I drove up Ocean Parkway this morning and noticed a police car parked in front of the shuls on Avenues R and K. But I really don’t get it. If these shuls were potential targets, the terrorists are now sufficiently warned away by the presence of the police. These guys casing the two shuls on Shabbos will just go somewhere else. How are two police cars on Ocean Parkway going to help the safety of HUNDREDS of other shuls and yeshivas in Brooklyn and around the entire city? It’s a reminder that when all is said and done, we are wholly dependent upon the protection of the Ribbono shel Olam alone, may He have mercy on us.