NYPD: More cameras, more K9 teams for Oct. 7 anniversary, Jewish holidays

The NYPD is adding more security cameras and putting more specially trained K-9 units on the streets ahead of Monday's anniversary of last October's attack by Hamas militants on Israel, as well as Rosh Hashanah and, later in the week, the start of Yom Kippur.

At a news conference Wednesday at NYPD headquarters with Mayor Eric Adams, department leaders said so far they had received no credible threats against the city as it prepares for Monday and the Jewish High Holy Days, which began Tuesday night with the start of Rosh Hashanah.

But with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and overall Mideast tensions nearing a boiling point, the NYPD will have additional K-9 units on patrol, including 29 dogs that recently completed an advanced training course, said Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner.

Adams, flanked by Weiner, new interim Police Commissioner Tom Donlon and other law enforcement officials and Jewish leaders, said the city had "zero tolerance" for disruptive protests.

He alluded to escalating violence between Israel, Iran and the latter's militant benefactors when assuring New Yorkers they needn't worry.

"No matter what is going on around the globe," Adams said, "in New York City you will be safe."

The Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas militants on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people, with hundreds more taken hostage, some of whom are still being held in Gaza. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to statistics provided to The Associated Press by Gaza health officials.

To protect against potential city violence on Monday, additional measures, both visible and more covert, will also be in place to increase security, Weiner said.

Chief of Patrol John Chell said the extensive NYPD domain awareness system, which has access to tens of thousands of security cameras citywide, will be supplemented by about 50 more at some sensitive locations.

The department was also hardening potential security targets against attack ahead of Yom Kippur, which begins Oct. 11 at sundown.

The mayor, when asked if the public should be concerned about whether federal law enforcement will cooperate with the city in light of his indictment for alleged corruption, batted down any suggestion his legal issues will have an effect on protecting the public.

"No matter what happens in the city ... they operate continuously and we know how professional they are, and New Yorkers know," Adams said, in reference to federal law enforcement.

Since Oct. 7 and the subsequent start of the Israel-Hamas war, the city has handled more than 4,000 protests, some of which turned violent and destructive, but the majority have remained peaceful, according to NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.

The number of city hate crimes has increased to 493 in 2024 so far compared with 381 at the same time last year, according to Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, adding that 56% of the hate crimes this year targeted Jewish people. A substantial number of those crimes involved swastikas, Kenny said. Cops have increased staffing in the hate crimes unit and have made arrests connected to more than 300 of the cases, Kenny said.

Adams noted that earlier in the year, concern about security had prompted some to ask that the Israeli Day Parade in June be canceled. The city refused, he added.

"We are not going to surrender to fear, not going to surrender to hate ... not going to surrender to violence," Adams said.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.