By Jeff Lipton
Israel has denied involvement in the bombing that killed Imad Mughniyeh, 45, who was wanted by the U.S. for his alleged role in the killings of hundreds of Americans as well as a series of infamous strikes against U.S., Israeli and Jewish targets.
The slaying spurred the FBI Anti-Terrorism Unit to issue warnings about "an increased level of threat" against Jewish facilities. In response, the Nassau County Police Department has intensified patrols in an effort to provide additional security for these facilities.
Detective Vincent Garcia, a police spokesman, said the increased patrols are not a response to any specific threats against county Jewish institutions, but have been deployed as a precautionary and proactive maneuver. "We're globally intensifying patrols," said Garcia. "We want to be more visible, anything that can act as a deterrent."
Legislator Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside) has notified all leaders of Jewish institutions in his 7th Legislative District of the increased police patrols. "Please be assured that every precautionary effort is being taken to ensure the safety of our residents and Jewish houses of worship and organizations," Toback said.
Inspector Paul Clark, 4th Precinct commander, has ordered all officers on patrol to "park, walk and talk" at all such buildings, similar to strategy employed during the Jewish High Holy Days. Additional coverage will be provided by the anti-crime and Problem Oriented Policing units. Police have also recommended that houses of worship implement security measures similar to those used during the holidays, such as uniformed security, closed parking lots and heightened awareness of suspicious individuals.
"We have seen the police presence several times of late," said Len Lerner, executive director of the Oceanside Jewish Center. "Police cars have been parked in our lot for the last several days. It's very nice. It's putting their best foot forward. They are being proactive."
Lerner added that law enforcement can never be too careful when it comes to potential terrorism. "It's never an overreaction," he said. "You may think it's an overreaction until something happens, and then they'll ask, 'Why weren't you prepared for that?' The additional patrols make me feel more confident."
Lerner said the county police have been very supportive, cooperative and responsive to Jewish concerns.
"Obviously, we're very appreciative of the efforts being made," said Murray Gandler, vice president of the Baldwin Jewish Center. "It's never an overreaction. You can't be too careful. It absolutely makes me feel more comfortable.
"In every way, the police are on top of the situation and do something before something happens," Gandler added.
Kim Schweitzer, executive director of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre (HERJC), said, "Our police department has been absolutely amazing. They have been so incredibly supportive. When I call them, they immediately come here. It's just vigilance.
"Since Sept. 11, everybody is on edge," she added.
Schweitzer said the HERJC was the recent recipient of a $73,000 grant to upgrade the building's security system. Much of it funded the installation of shatterproof glass in the nursery school's classrooms, she said.
"Of course we welcome the increased patrols," said Rabbi Steven M. Graber, spiritual leader of Temple Hillel, on the North Woodmere/Valley Stream border. Graber said that since 9/11, the temple has organized a security committee and a security plan. "There are many security measures in place," he said. "And the Nassau County police have been very responsive. When these [terrorism] alerts come up, we see more cars passing by and we like their presence."
He noted that the augmented patrols seem to have put congregants at ease. Bad weather is more likely to keep them away from the synagogue than concerns about terrorism, Graber said.
Mughniyeh, who was on an FBI wanted list with a $25 million bounty on his head, was among the fugitives indicted for the 1985 hijacking of a TWA airliner in which a U.S. Navy diver was killed. He was also suspected of masterminding attacks that killed more than 200 Americans in Lebanon in the 1980s. Mughniyeh was also suspected by Israel to have been involved in planning the 1992 bombing of Israel's embassy in Argentina, in which 29 people were killed, and the blast at a Buenos Aires Jewish center two years later that killed 95.
"We continuously monitor the local and national situation and we respond accordingly," said Joni Center, senior vice president for program services at the Friedberg Jewish Community Center in Oceanside.
Comments about this story? JLipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
