County Executive Bruce Blakeman addresses threats made by former Hamas member

Though there is no immediate threat to Nassau County, Bruce Blakeman, the first Jewish Nassau County executive, is upping security across the county at Yeshiva’s and religious institutions following statements made by the terrorist group, Hamas, encouraging protests and violence on Oct. 13.

Blakeman was joined with Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip and Deputy Presiding Officer Howard Kopel with over 50 rabbis and leaders of Yeshivas outside the David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Garden City on Oct. 12.

Since Saturday morning of the attack on Israel from Hamas, the county executive responded by putting 20 additional police cars in the county and near religious institutions.

“We are adding more in light of a general threat, not a direct and not a direct credible threat to Nassau County,” Blakeman said to the media outside the Mack Center. “There’s been a threat to call for action Friday Oct. 13 by a former member of Hamas, a former leader of Hamas, has asked that people around the world show their anger towards the Jewish people.”

Intensive patrols at houses of worships which include synagogues and mosques, asked for by religious leaders in the county will be present, as well as Yeshiva, educational facilities and Jewish businesses in commercial areas.

He is leaving it up to school officials to make the determination if they will remain open or not.

“If they decide to remain open, they can rest assured that we will be out there in the community in full force,” he said.

The county executive will also rely on surveillance in the air with the help of drones, asking his constituents not to be alarmed if they see one.

The Bureau of Special Operations, which is the county’s SWAT team, has been activated and members were seen standing behind Blakeman.

Blakeman said he is also mindful about the public schools that are in operation and will have additional coverage at every school district in the county on Oct. 13.

“I want to stress that this is not leaving out any community,” Blakeman said. “Whether it be Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, the fact of the matter this threat is against Jews. So that’s why we are focusing on Jewish communities, Jewish institutions and Jewish education facilities.

Religious leaders in attendance were invited inside the Mack Center to speak privately with the county executive and Ryder on their fears and needs.