Yom Kippur brings heightened security to Long Island synagogues
Security is a major focus this year, as a new state law gives law enforcement additional tools to protect people from entering and leaving houses of worship.
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Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, is bringing large crowds to synagogues across Long Island.
Security is a major focus this year, as a new state law gives law enforcement additional tools to protect people from entering and leaving houses of worship.
The law, often referred to as the 50-foot buffer zone law, makes it a crime to intentionally block or interfere with someone trying to enter or leave a house of worship. It also covers anything within 50 feet that makes someone going into or out of a house of worship fear for their safety.
The law also allows police to establish security perimeters around houses of worship during demonstrations, including larger perimeters when necessary for public safety.
Mike Balboni, president of Adelphi University and a former homeland security advisor, says security officials often work proactively ahead of large gatherings. And he says that presence isn’t always obvious to the public. “A lot of times with the presence there, you won’t see them. They would be undercover.”
