Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Elected Officials Condemn Borough Park Hate Crime
Councilman David G. Greenfield joined other Brooklyn officials at a press conference on Monday to condemn an act of anti-Semitic vandalism that targeted the Hamaspik Assisted Living Facility.
On Sunday evening, a large spray-painted swastika was discovered on the side of a van parked in front of the Hamaspik Facility in Borough Park, a largely Hasidic community. The facility caters to disabled young adults, ages 15 to 38, and the defaced van is their method of transportation from the assisted living facility to their rehabilitation facilities.
“All of the residents are Hasidic Jews, so it’s obvious who they were targeting,” said Councilman Greenfield. But this attack is “anti-disabled children as well.”
This attack is the second to occur against Hamaspik in the last six months. The first attack was also taken out on a facility-owned van. Both vans were parked in front of the facility and have Hamaspik’s logo as well as its name in both English and Hebrew on the side.
Because the most recent attack took place right next to a Pathmark, Councilman Greenfield and the Hate Crimes Unit believe that witnesses are out there who just don’t want to come forward.
For this reason, Greenfield has offered a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case. Anyone who has information should call the anonymous line of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
“The reason I am offering a cash reward is to send these criminals a clear message: if you commit a hate crime in New York City we will find you no matter what it costs or takes,” explained Greenfield.
Greenfield was joined in his condemnation by Council Members Sara Gonzalez and Brad Lander; Congressman Jerry Nadler; state Sen. Marty Golden, and Assemblyman Peter Abbate.
“This is the third hate crime in or near my district in the four months that I have been in office,” said Lander. “I am deeply saddened by these crimes and hope that by coming together as a community we can put an end to these outrageous acts.”
The purpose of the large cash award is two-fold, explained Greenfield. He wants the perpetrators to know that the city will use any resource it has to put anyone away who commits a hate crime, and that prejudicial actions such as this are absolutely unacceptable.
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=31&id=35038
On Sunday evening, a large spray-painted swastika was discovered on the side of a van parked in front of the Hamaspik Facility in Borough Park, a largely Hasidic community. The facility caters to disabled young adults, ages 15 to 38, and the defaced van is their method of transportation from the assisted living facility to their rehabilitation facilities.
“All of the residents are Hasidic Jews, so it’s obvious who they were targeting,” said Councilman Greenfield. But this attack is “anti-disabled children as well.”
This attack is the second to occur against Hamaspik in the last six months. The first attack was also taken out on a facility-owned van. Both vans were parked in front of the facility and have Hamaspik’s logo as well as its name in both English and Hebrew on the side.
Because the most recent attack took place right next to a Pathmark, Councilman Greenfield and the Hate Crimes Unit believe that witnesses are out there who just don’t want to come forward.
For this reason, Greenfield has offered a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case. Anyone who has information should call the anonymous line of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
“The reason I am offering a cash reward is to send these criminals a clear message: if you commit a hate crime in New York City we will find you no matter what it costs or takes,” explained Greenfield.
Greenfield was joined in his condemnation by Council Members Sara Gonzalez and Brad Lander; Congressman Jerry Nadler; state Sen. Marty Golden, and Assemblyman Peter Abbate.
“This is the third hate crime in or near my district in the four months that I have been in office,” said Lander. “I am deeply saddened by these crimes and hope that by coming together as a community we can put an end to these outrageous acts.”
The purpose of the large cash award is two-fold, explained Greenfield. He wants the perpetrators to know that the city will use any resource it has to put anyone away who commits a hate crime, and that prejudicial actions such as this are absolutely unacceptable.
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=31&id=35038
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