We’re overjoyed that the NYPD has convincingly denied claims that it warned Jews to steer clear of Eastern Parkway and Saturday’s pro-Palestinian protest at the Brooklyn Museum in Crown Heights.
But we don’t want to underestimate the challenge city cops face right now.
Last week’s pro-Palestinian rally in Bay Ridge attracted 5,000 protesters, with lots of hateful, antisemitic rhetoric and signs.
Police clashed with some demonstrators who became violent and made 19 arrests.
As Israel’s drive to eliminate Hamas in Gaza ramps up, this weekend’s demonstration could easily be more passionate.
And the NYPD now lacks a crucial crowd-control device it’s long relied upon: Under a fresh federal court settlement, it can no longer “kettle” — that is, corral — unruly crowds before sorting out the members who merit arrest or other action.
Now is not the time for police to be handcuffed in maintaining the peace and protecting the lives of rallygoers and innocent passersby.
As it stands, NYPD data show that antisemitic incidents spiked 60% in the city since the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Of 51 hate crimes reported Oct. 9, 30 were against Jews — outpacing the prior monthly average of 18 antisemitic attacks.
The same period last year saw just six anti-Jewish incidents reported.
More worry for this weekend: Crown Heights is home to 200,000 Lubavitcher Hasidim — every one of them visibly Jewish.
It was also the site of the infamous 1991 riot/pogrom, which the rally’s organizers had to know.
Sure seems like they’re looking for trouble.
New York City’s is the finest Police Department in the world; we’re certain it’ll be fully prepared, but such challenges are likely to grow for weeks if not months now.
But city Comptroller Brad Lander and the City Council better stop complaining about NYPD overtime: New York’s going to need a lot of it.
This story originally appeared on NYPost
