NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Long Island police and New York State police will be patrolling areas near local mosques, Muslim schools, and businesses throughout the month of Ramadan.
The enhanced patrol includes security assessments covering visibility, outdoor lighting, and security systems, according to Suffolk County police. Preparations also involve 24-hour police coverage around mosques, as announced earlier this month.
“They will be enhancing security patrols here (Long Island) as needed,” Hochul had also announced during her visit to the Melville Islamic Center where a man was arrested after trespassing and harassing an employee last month.
"We feel safe, and we appreciate that," Talaat Abdelmoneim, the president of the Islamic Center of Melville told News 12 on Sunday. “We have both the county police and state police patrolling around.”
“It’s scary but I’m happy that our local police are helping out,” ICM vice president Sally Hassanein told News 12. “What happened here a couple of weeks ago really shook us.”
Patrols were increased near the Islamic Center after Jordan Endler, 46, of East Northport, an attorney based in Suffolk County, was arrested for trespassing and allegedly harassing an employee inside, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
According to a video recorded during the incident, the employee asked Endler to leave multiple times, but he refused. Endler stayed inside the building, continuing to shout the chant, "Free the Israeli Jewish women now!" until police arrived. Following an investigation by Hate Crimes Unit detectives, Endler was arrested and faces charges for criminal trespass in the third degree and harassment in the second degree. He will return to court on April 3.
“I just want to convey to them that we’re here to support them and that we do not tolerate any forms of hate,” Hochul said.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison will host a Ramadan Conference on March 14 with community members about safety efforts being
implemented for worshipers.