NYPD heightens security measures for Oct. 7 anniversary

The NYPD has ordered officers to be ready to deploy to any large protests on Monday, the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks against Israel.

The effort is part of a larger plan by the police department to increase security around the Jewish High Holy Days, beginning with Rosh Hashanah last Wednesday and ending with Yom Kippur this Friday.

“All uniformed members of the service are to remain prepared for mobilization at any time during their assigned tour,” stated an email directive sent to police officers on Friday morning.

The directive, which was obtained by Gothamist, took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.

Police officials began deploying more officers and cameras to Jewish places of worship last week, coordinating with state and federal agencies.

“We will have an omnipresence and a real, visible presence of uniform personnel,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference last Wednesday.

The NYPD has deployed more than 50 cameras to “key locations” around the city throughout the Jewish High Holidays, though officials would not specify those locations, citing security reasons. Police have also deployed K9 teams to sweep sensitive locations daily, and NYPD aviation units are increasing their patrols.

Police have enhanced patrols at houses of worship, including Jewish synagogues, according to NYPD Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner.

“For any of you who may feel uneasy based on what you’re seeing around the world, let me just remind you that we do this every day,” she said at the news conference last week. “We've been doing this for the past two decades and with real sustained intensity over the past year. And just days ago, we completed a highly successful deployment during the U.N. General Assembly.”

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun on the Upper East Side said the group has doubled its security budget to hire more guards.

“The NYPD provides additional security, but that's not enough to make our congregation feel safe,” Steinmetz said. “They want thorough security that they can see all the time."