Suspicious activity at two Ocean Parkway synagogues has area residents on edge in light of the recent terror attacks overseas, with a chilling video showing two men who appear to be of Middle Eastern origin approaching one of the synagogues yesterday afternoon.
An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that two men attempted to take a picture in front of the Edmond J. Safra Synagogue located at 1801 Ocean Parkway at approximately 4:14 PM. One of the men attempted to take a picture of the other in front of the synagogue and the two men left the property after being approached by a security guard.
Security footage from the synagogue located just south of Avenue R shows the two men, one clad in a black leather jacket, jeans, a pink shirt and black sneakers and the other in light colored pants, a black jacket with light colored sleeves and either grey or black footwear.
As the first man stood in front of the entrance to the synagogue, the second man can be seen backing up and getting ready to take a picture until a security guard approaches the men 15 seconds after their arrival. The two men can be seen talking with the security guard and leaving the area 35 seconds later.
According to a press release from Assemblyman Dov Hikind’s office, the two men drove off in a blue Honda Accord, whose license plate was recorded by the security guard.
The NYPD refused to comment on Hikind’s press release and said that they had no information on how the two men left the area.
Police said that an additional incident was reported approximately one hour later at 1061 Ocean Parkway when a single man attempted to enter Congregation Beth Torah, located between Avenue J and E 7th Street. The man was denied entry to the synagogue and left the area without incident. Police could not say if the two reports were connected in any way or if the same individuals were involved at both synagogues.
The NYPD has increased patrols in the areas around both synagogues and says that an investigation is ongoing.
Really!? Is it really that far fetched that they actually wanted an up close picture? If they were Caucasian, would you all have the same opinions? Asian people do it all the time, you know, stand some where awkward just to take a picture of a Cathedral Steeple. You wouldn’t look twice. These young men are being profiled. Plain and simple. It’s sad to see so much ignorance in some of post here. Smh. I’ll pray for you all.
Why is it that the very wealthy in each jewish neighborhood can’t get together and hire proper security people? So much wealth and yet one man to guard?
Cmon, there’s enough funds to go round for proper guards.
They have to identify and secretly investigate these guys to find out what is behind that
They are 100% connected to something
If you can get a licence to carry you must. All shuls should look into this to have a few regulars that are experienced carry always. If it means you need to register a security company there are ways.
This place has security cameras that are with the times. As opposed to the grainy indiscernible footage from mid 80’s cameras, that you usually see.
It is not a question of if we are going to be targeted it’s a question of when it is going to happen. Just one on unarmed guards and without training will not be able to save us.
We need to boost up our security quickly
It seems like they have ran a test of how would the premises/gourd react to their presents.
If they want a photo of the front of the shul they don’t need to have this guy stand in front..they can merely drive up, stop and take their photo. So it’s not the photo they were after – maybe they were trying to see if there was security..so if they were seemingly innocents trying to take a photo and nobody shows up then they figure they can possibly get further and maybe into the shul.
Bottom line Hashem is our Guardian and we need to daven for Moshiach when all this will not even be a memory.
boruch hashem no one got hurt or killed. at least
g-d bless
Oy! I hope everythings okay!
The security guard is parked in the red car in front of the shul, and he gets out of the car to walk over to them.
boruch hashem we should continue to see revealed goodness