State fifth ## Assemblyman Dov Hikind said today he has asked half of the FBI to help local police track down rock-thrownearl ##ing vandals who smashed the windows of more than making 20 Jewish-owned shops in two assaults over a two-in the week period in heavily Orthodox populated areas of T.## Brooklyn.
Eight shops were hit in the early hours of last Saturday morning, five in the Boro Park section and three in the adjoining Midwood section of Flatbush. Eaarly on Saturday November 9, 13 shop windows were smashed in Boro Park. Mayor Edward Koch said the city would offer a $10,000 reward for information “leading to the arrest of the people responsible.”
Peggy Tishman, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, announced that “in order to expedite the work of the police, we are hereby offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of these acts.” The police have set up a special number for anyone having information: (1-718) 287-0311.
Tishman said, “While there is no clear indication of the motives for these cowardly acts, our outrage is in no way diminished. We are determined to see that the perpetrators are quickly apprehended, and will work with community leaders and police to assure that every avenue is explored in order to put a stop to these incidents.”
CITES POSSIBLE VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS
Hikind, who represents these districts, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that he appealed to the federal law enforcers to investigate the incidents for possible violations of civil rights. He said this did not mean the community has lost confidence in the police who were taking the incidents “very seriously.” But it is clear the police need help, the Assemblyman said.
The second rash of rock-throwing occurred despite a “very heavy” police presence in the streets of Boro Park. The assailants were undetected.
Hikind said that in addition, the community is seeking the help of New York’s two Senators, Daniel Moynihan, Democrat, and Alfonse D’Amato, Republican. He said that Rabbi Israel Steinberg, director of community relations in the New York State Division of Human Rights, has solicited the aid of State Commissioner of Human Rights Douglas White. Rabbi Israel Moshowitz, special assistant to the Governor for community affairs, is also actively involved.
THE TWO INCIDENTS ARE SIMILAR
Hikind pointed out that the two incidents were similar and were almost certainly the work of the same vandals who seem to be motivated by anti-Semitism. Although no graffiti, slogans or swastikas were left behind and there were no anonymous telephone calls to the media claiming credit, the attacks were clearly aimed at Jews, Hikind said. Non-Jewish shops in both neighborhoods were unharmed.
He said he was convinced the vandals were outsiders. Hikind, a Boro Park resident, said there have been no racial tensions or incidents in the neighborhood that might have led to a vendetta. The earlier vandalism was confined to a 10-block strip along 13th Avenue, the main shopping center of Boro Park.
In the latest incident, two shops were hit on 13th Avenue, three on 16th Avenue, including an Israeli-owned restaurant, and three on Avenue J between Coney Island Avenue and East 16th Street in Midwood, the main shopping center of that neighborhood.
Hikind said the FBI has promised to study the incidents to determine if violations of civil rights occurred. A determination is required before the federal agency can officially enter the case.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
