LI schools step up security in response to call for 'day of action' by former Hamas leader
Both Nassau and Suffolk police commissioners tell News 12 there are no credible threats against Long Island.
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There was increased security Friday at some Long Island schools after the former leader of Hamas called for a “day of action” amid the war in Israel.
Officials say places of worship and large events on Long Island are also seeing security increased.
Both Nassau and Suffolk police commissioners tell News 12 there are no credible threats against Long Island.
“We are going to be a full force of protection, giving that blanket of coverage to the entire county to make sure everybody is safe,” said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.
Some parents felt conflicted about sending their children to school. Two West Hempstead teachers of Jewish faith explained why they'd be in the classroom.
"We can't give in to fear, we can't give in to terror," said Mindy Bekritsky, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.
Rabbi Elliot Hecht is the principal of the Hebrew Academy of Nassau Middle School. The Jewish leader felt extremely relieved to see a significant police presence at their schools on Friday morning.
"In the wake of the threat, I was quite nervous. But an increased police presence made everyone feel safe," Hecht said. “Throughout the day, the police presence here was awesome, and the kids felt it. The kids actually wrote letters to the policemen standing outside.”
Other schools, such as the Schechter School of Long Island, closed for the day.
