NYPD Addresses Terror Threat Before Passover

New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, along with his lieutenants and other officials, hosted leaders and activists of Brooklyn’s several Jewish communities for a pre-Passover security briefing.

In his remarks, the police chief said despite the fact that no credible terrorist threat has been detected ahead of the Jewish holiday, the Police Department’s counterterrorism force would be working non-stop to ensure the continued safety of the city’s Jewish population.

He emphasized that despite his department’s unmatched counterterrorism and intelligence capabilities, it is up to each individual citizen to be vigilant and alert authorities if he notices any suspicious activity.

NYPD counterterrorism official John Miller and NYPD Director of Intelligence Analysis Rebecca Weiner both briefed the gathering, the latter detailing terrorist organizations’ media and recruitment campaigns. Weiner said images of New York City buildings and traffic scenes are often displayed in propaganda material.

Among those in attendance were Mendy Hershkop and Gadi Hershkop of the Crown Heights Shomrim.

Rabbi Yosef Kramer of Crown Heights, who has close ties with the city’s police department, gave a box of Matzos to each Jewish member of the police department who was present, including to the police commissioner – whose wife, Rikki Klieman, is Jewish.

Following the event, Commissioner Bratton posted to his Twitter account a photo of him receiving Matzah from Rabbi Kramer and the text “Successful pre-Passover briefing this AM. Partnerships w/ all communities will continue to make NYC safe.”