Mayor Eric Adams Urges Increased Security Measures as NYPD Initiates Perimeter Searches and Highlights Potential ‘Lone Wolf’ Threat

The New York Police Department will conduct area searches in key areas around the city, including synagogues, following the terrorist attacks in Israel.

Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday that houses of worship should consider hiring security as he asked New Yorkers to remain vigilant in the wake of violence in the Middle East.

“We cannot let our guard down… Don’t underestimate the lone wolves,” the Democrat told reporters, adding that “lone wolves do exist” — especially those radicalized through social media.

The mayor noted that there are “no threats” to the city related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but still said citizens should remain alert.

“We can’t believe it happened thousands of miles away… we are the largest Jewish population outside of Israel,” the mayor said as he urged New Yorkers not to be distracted by their phones and to stay alert to their surroundings. .

Adams attended a prayer vigil with the city’s Jewish community on Monday evening, where he pledged his support for Israel

NYPD Chief John Chell said his late shift will conduct perimeter searches of key institutions, but did not specify which ones. Adams said areas with large Jewish and Hasidic populations, such as Williamsburg, Flatbush and Rockaway, will be on the list.

“If someone is hanging around the synagogue or you see someone in the community who is suspicious, see something, say something, do something,” Adams said.

Adams attended a prayer vigil with the city’s Jewish community on Monday evening, where he pledged his support for Israel.

He was criticized by critics on Sunday after the Democratic Socialists of America held a pro-Palestinian rally in Times Square, just hours after a horrific attack by Hamas terrorists killed more than 900 Israelis.

The mayor, who returned from a trip to Latin America on Sunday, spoke out against the rally organized by the Democratic Socialists of America – at which a protester waved a swastika at a Jewish crowd.

“At a time when innocent people are being slaughtered and children are being kidnapped in Israel, it is disgusting that this group of extremists is supporting terrorism. I reject this. New York City rejects this. Don’t use our streets to spread your hate,” Adams wrote.

But the Democrat’s comment wasn’t enough for many social media users, who expressed anger that Adams had not stopped the demonstration. “Why didn’t you close it then?” asked an X user.

‘MONITORING? Have you monitored? But what ACTION have you taken??’ wrote another.

Many of Adams’ critics took the opportunity to decry the mayor’s trip to Latin America, which was seen by many New Yorkers as a pointless publicity stunt fed up with the migrant crisis, which has forced more than 120,000 asylum seekers into the country in just 18 months. arrived in the city.

‘of which? Ecuador? lol” said an X user. “Aren’t you in Mexico?” added another. “And yet you’re still in Mexico?” said a third.

Hamas unleashed dozens of attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers. On a kibbutz in southern Israel, terrorists slaughtered at least 40 babies and young children before beheading some of them and shooting their families.

New York City has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel

Hamas terrorists beheaded babies and shot entire families in their homes in a small kibbutz in Israel, Israeli soldiers claim

About a thousand demonstrators gathered in Times Square in solidarity with Palestinians, while pro-Israel demonstrators counter-protested.

“We are here in solidarity with the Palestinian people who are fighting against 75 years of Israeli colonialism, settler violence and 16 years of military blockade of Gaza,” said Munir Atalla, a 30-year member of the Palestinian Youth Movement. who was among the organizers of the demonstration.

“What we saw yesterday was the people of Gaza escaping from their open-air prison,” he continued.

The demonstrations came as the United States quickly reaffirmed its support for Israel, with US President Joe Biden ordering US ships and warplanes to move closer to his ally and send new military aid.

On Saturday, Adams concluded a four-day trip to Latin America with a call for a “right to work” for migrants in the United States.

Speaking from a wharf in northern Colombia, where migrants take boats into the jungle, the embattled mayor said countries in the region must “come together” to find solutions to the immigration crisis facing both America and cities across the United States is palpable. , including New York.