Bomb Threats At Jewish Locations In Brooklyn, Manhattan Investigated

NEW YORK — NYPD is investigating bomb threats at notable Jewish sites around New York City Saturday.

The bomb threats had been reported at Brooklyn's Holocaust Memorial Park (Shore Blvd., Emmons Ave. and Neptune Ave.) and Central Synagogue (652 Lexington Ave.) in Manhattan, according to NBC New York. A spokesperson for the police department said a 911 caller found what they believed was a grenade at Holocaust Memorial Park. A bomb squad investigation revealed the grenade was inert, which means it cannot explode.

Within the hour, police received a tip from a person who allegedly left pipe bombs in Central Synagogue, New York Daily News reported. A police investigation found no apparent threats.

The reports come as NYPD reported bias-related reports against Jewish people have increased since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas that spurred Israel attacks on Palestine. NYPD investigated 69 Jewish bias-related incidents in October, compared to 22 last October, according to Fortune. Anti-Muslim incidents increased to eight reports, compared to none in the same month last year.

In late October, New York's Gov. Kathy Hochul offered funding to local law enforcement for hate crime investigation and prevention and security funding for at-risk community groups and cultural centers. The governor also ordered an independent review of antisemitism and discrimination responses at the City University of New York, which has seen strong activism for Palestine and concerns of antisemitism.