Gov. Kathy Hochul increased the funding for the New York State Police Department to expand social media surveillance amid the rising hate crimes in New York related to the Israel-Hamas war.
The state disbursed $75 million to address the hate crime incidents in New York, including $50 million for local law enforcement and $25 million for security grants.
Hochul Increases NYPD Funding
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 10: New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks to thousands at a 'New York Stands With Israel' vigil and rally on October 10, 2023 in New York City. Around the country and world, supporters of Israel are attending gatherings to show support for Israel following last weekends attacks by Palestinian militants that has left hundreds of civilians dead and over a hundred hostages taken into Gaza.
According to The Epoch Times, Hochul attended a news conference and an emergency meeting with the state's Jewish community leaders and local and federal law enforcement officials on Monday.
Hochul said that they have not seen this level of hate crimes and fear since September 12, 2001. "It's painful to see the cruelty with which New Yorkers are treating each other. Everywhere from college campuses, to our streets, to schools, to playgrounds; even as they're entering their houses of worship," the Democrat governor said.
She noted that the increasing hate crimes began when the Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Israel.
Hochul explained that the funding would authorize the State Police officers to extend their efforts to monitor the hate crimes present on various social media platforms.
She said they were focused on condemning negativity online whenever they spot hate speech written on social media platforms and reach out to people.
She added that the social media analysis unit has been monitoring the sites to seize incitement to violence and threats directly to people to ensure that New Yorkers feel safe.
Hochul ordered the State Police to disperse to places that could be targeted by violence, such as synagogues, yeshivas, and mosques. Furthermore, she allocated an additional $2.5 million for at least 10 State Police investigators to work with an FBI counterterrorism task force.
The Hate Crimes Task Force encouraged New Yorkers to report any kinds of hate and bias incidents on their hotline.
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Rising Hate Crimes in New York
Hochul said she visited Cornell University on October 30 and witnessed a third-year student being arrested for allegedly threatening his Jewish peers.
Patrick Dai, a student at Cornell University, posted in an online student discussion board to bring a rifle and open fire on a kosher dining hall beside the Ivy League school's Jewish living center.
He also threatened to stab and slit the throat of a Jewish man and rape and push off a Jewish woman on a cliff. He said he would also behead any Jewish baby on the campus.
Hochul commented that they would be arrested and prosecuted if they continued to engage in such hateful crimes. She assured the Jewish students at Cornell University that they were not alone and the state would ensure their safety.
New York City has been a home for the Jewish people, next to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. According to the police, 69 bias incidents were recorded and recognized as anti-Jewish.
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