GOSHEN – Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta has brought law enforcement from a five-county Mid-Hudson region to enhance awareness, prevention and response to antisemitism in their communities.
Much of it, both subtle and overt, is aimed at the Hasidic community because they are the most visible Jewish neighbors, said Arteta.
The organization Combat Antisemitism Movement says anti-Jewish hate crimes have reached an all-time high, and social media has given antisemitism an extraordinary new reach and platform.
“Fabrications that were once the domain of racial nationalists and neo-Nazis can now be disseminated to millions within minutes,” said Arteta. In fact, the FBI says anti-Jewish hate crimes have reached an all-time high.
Arteta said his department, as well as all others, are enhancing their surveillance of all houses of worship.
“We beefed up our presence with the State Police to not only cover our Hasidim population, but all of the houses of worship throughout Orange County. We do regular checks at all these difference places of worship,” he said.
The sheriff’s office also offers free training to all faiths to assist them to fortify their houses of worship.
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