Cuomo increases state police patrols near NY synagogues through Jewish holidays

New York State Police will have an increased presence outside synagogues across the state during the upcoming Jewish high holidays, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced. 

Cuomo said he directed authorities to increase patrols outside the religious centers during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur in the wake of “a number of appalling anti-Semitic incidents over the past year.” 

“We will not allow the cowards who contributed to the recent rash of hateful acts against the Jewish community and other groups to intimidate or divide us. In New York, we value diversity, inclusion and acceptance — and I want to assure our Jewish brothers and sisters that New York stands united with them now and always,” Cuomo said in a statement on Saturday. {mosads}

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, began at sundown on Sunday and will end at sundown on Tuesday. 

Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days of the Jewish year, will start at sundown Tuesday, Oct. 8, and end the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 9. 

The increased patrols follow anti-Semitic actions across the country and state. 

Hate crimes are up more than 60 percent since 2018 in New York City, the Times Union reports, citing New York City Police Department officials.