N.Y.C. Ups Policing in Jewish Areas After Spate of Attacks, Mayor Announces

New York City is increasing its police presence in some Brooklyn neighborhoods with large Jewish populations after possibly anti-Semitic attacks during the Hanukkah holiday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said after the latest episode Friday.

Besides making officers more visible in Borough Park, Crown Heights and Williamsburg, police will boost visits to houses of worship and some other places, the mayor tweeted.

“Anti-Semitism is an attack on the values of our city — and we will confront it head-on,” de Blasio wrote.

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– De Blasio

In addition to heightened visibility, there will be increased visits to houses of worship and other critical areas in the community.

Anti-Semitism is an attack on the values of our city — and we will confront it head-on.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 27, 2019

Around the city, police have gotten at least five reports this week of attacks possibly propelled by anti-Jewish bias.

The latest happened around 12:40 A.M. Friday, when a woman slapped three other women in the face and head after encountering them on a Crown Heights corner, police said. The victims, who range in age from 22 to 31, suffered minor pain, police said.

Tiffany Harris, 30, was arrested on a hate-crime harassment charge.

She was awaiting arraignment Friday morning. It wasn't clear whether she had a lawyer who could comment on the charges, and no working telephone number for Harris could immediately be found.