The NYPD's hate crime unit is hunting for a woman who poured gasoline on a Yeshiva in Brooklyn and set it alight, as New York City'...
The NYPD's hate crime unit is hunting for a woman who poured gasoline on a Yeshiva in Brooklyn and set it alight, as New York City's crimewave continues.
The incident took place Thursday night at around 7:27 pm, according to police. They received a call for an arson incident outside the Yeshiva of Flatbush on Avenue J.
A Yeshiva is a Jewish school that focuses on traditional religious texts. There are about 275 Yeshivas in New York City.
When they arrived, police determined that a woman poured gasoline in front of the building and lit it on fire.
A security guard for the school was able to douse the fire with water.
No injuries occurred as a result of the blaze. The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction.
The NYPD released footage of the woman dousing the ground with gas, and also a close up picture of a woman they wanted to speak to in relation to the incident.
The woman police are searching for is about 5'4', average build, with dark hair; she was last seen wearing all dark-colored clothing, black shoes and carrying a red gasoline canister.
The NYPD's hate crime unit is hunting for a woman who poured gasoline on a Yeshiva in Brooklyn
The NYPD released footage of the woman dousing the ground with gas, and also a close up picture of a woman they wanted to speak to in relation to the incident
The case is being investigated by the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force.
Several local politicians commented on the incident.
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident 'an attack on all New Yorkers' in a tweet. He said they will bring the suspect to justice.
State Governor Kathy Hochul called the incident cowardly and directed New York State Police's Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD.
'At around 7:30PM last night, an unidentified individual poured gasoline in front of the Yeshiva of Flatbush and ignited it,' Hochul said. 'Thankfully, there were no injuries, but I want to make it very clear that this cowardly act of hate has no home here in New York. No child should ever be made to feel unsafe, especially in a place of learning.'
Both 2021 New York City mayoral candidates weight in on the story as well.
Democratic candidate and former NYPD officer Eric Adams called the incident a 'despicable and vile act -- and outside of a school, no less.'
'We must find the person responsible for this hate crime and immediately bring her to justice.
Republican candidate and Guardian Angels Founder Curtis Sliwa, speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail Friday, continued to call for reforms and help for those with mental health afflictions.
'She seems like a woman who is emotionally disturbed,' he said. 'Unfortunately, we have so many emotionally disturbed persons who are acting out and in some incidents in the past it has resulted in attacks against members of the Jewish community, particularly the Orthodox or Hasidic.'
'We have to get the emotionally disturbed off the street and into hospitals and healthcare facilities, or else we'll just have more of this, as we have under de Blasio as mayor,' he added.
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident 'an attack on all New Yorkers' in a tweet. He said they will bring the suspect to justice
State Governor Kathy Hochul called the incident cowardly and directed New York State Police's Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD
Democratic candidate and former NYPD officer Eric Adams called the incident a 'despicable and vile act -- and outside of a school, no less'
Republican candidate and Guardian Angels Founder Curtis Sliwa, speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail Friday, continued to call for reforms and help for those with mental health afflictions
The city's overall crime rate is down a quarter of a percentage point this year through October 10 as compared to last year, according to the NYPD's most recent data.
However, crime is up in certain categories, especially among hate crimes. Through October 10, there have been 423 hate crimes in the city, up 93 percent from last year's 219.
Other offenses are up as well, such as assaults and rape, which are up 7.7 percent and 2.7 percent from last year, respectively.
Grand larcenies are also up 2.4 percent from last year, with grand larceny from automobiles up 14.5 percent.
And shooting incidents have increased 3.5 percent over last year, with a little over 1 percent more shooting victims.
Random attacks on the subway have become an almost daily occurrence in the city.
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