$5,000. Reward Offered at Tire-Slashings
Press Conference District Attorney, Politicians, Promise Vigorous Prosecution

A $5,000. reward for the apprehension of the criminal(s) was announced yesterday as politicians of every stripe joined all five Jewish Community Council board members to condemn the spree of tire-slashings Friday night which has now been officially categorized as a hate crime.

Among the seven vehicles slashed were two of this neighborhood’s three Hatzolah ambulances, both parked outside 770 Eastern Parkway. The other vehicles were parked along the same block, between Kingston and Brooklyn Avenues. Brooklyn District Attorney Charles (Joe) Hynes said that the Hatzolah ambulances – which have Hebrew writing on them and were stationed outside the main synagogue – were identifiable as operated by Jews in this community, which is sufficient to raise their vandalism to the level of a hate crime. The perpetrators could receive up to seven years in prison, three years longer than if the crime were not motivated by hate.

“There’ll be no plea bargaining,” vowed Mr. Hynes. “We’re just not going to tolerate this stuff.”

His sentiments were echoed by Borough President Marty Markowitz, who called the slashings “deplorable, disgusting, [and] reprehensible.” Mr. Markowitz noted that Brooklyn has always been proud of its diversity and of the ability of residents of all races and religions to live together in harmony. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated here in Brooklyn – ever, ever, ever,” he concluded.

Also at the podium during the press conference, which received extensive media coverage, were Assemblyman Clarence Norman, Jr.; City Councilmembers Letitia James and Yvette Clarke; and representatives from many neighborhood and civic organizations. David Pollack of the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Abe (Yingy) Bistritzky of Hatzolah, also spoke.

Mr. Bistritzky said that, as a Hatzolah member, he was only too well aware of the possible life-threatening consequences (G-d forbid) when a needed ambulance is disabled. In light of the Friday-night attacks, he had to travel to Borough Park the next morning, Shabbos, to bring back a working ambulance. The Hatzolah leader announced that his company was offering a reward of $1,000. for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator(s).

Moshe Rubashkin, chairman of the Jewish Community Council, then revealed that the JCC was adding $4,000. to that figure, bringing the total reward up to $5,000.

After the press conference, the District Attorney met privately with Vaad HaKahal members Moshe Rubashkin, Dr. Tzvi Lang, Rabbi Shmuel Plotkin, and Chanina Sperlin. (The fifth member, Leibish Nash, had to return to his workplace.) The meeting was extremely cordial, with Mr. Hynes praising the Lubavitch community for its low rate of crime. “You know how many Lubavitcher kids I prosecuted this year for burglary or assault?” he asked. “Zero.”

Mr. Rubashkin explained that one reason for this is the community’s stress on quality education, and he urged the D.A. to use his influence in support of school vouchers, which, the JCC chairman said, would not only keep families from breaking apart under the financial strain of impossible tuition, but would extend to all citizens, regardless of racial or religious background, the educational opportunities that have been proven effective in reducing crime.

After all, he pointed out, it costs the government about $154,000. a year to keep a youth in prison, compared with only about $9,000. for tuition.

Mr. Hynes, who is running for reelection in the upcoming September 13 primary, pledged to continue his dialogue with the frum community, which he respects, as well as his general focus on crime prevention. He noted that crime is down aver 70% since he took office, and promised, “We’re never going back to those days.”