NJ Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal speaks at Beth El Synagogue in Margate about stemming the tide of bias crimes.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal visited Beth El Synagogue Wednesday morning to speak to community leaders and members of all faiths about how to stem the tide of hate that has nearly doubled in New Jersey over the last year.
The program was hosted by Rabbi Aaron Krauss and coordinated by Atlantic City 3rd Ward Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, a leader of the city’s Islamic community.
“Here on this day, sitting here are Jews, Catholics and Protestants on Ash Wednesday in a synagogue where a Muslim leader will introduce our Attorney General, a Sikh to discuss anti-Semitism,” Rabbi Krauss said during his welcoming remarks.
Rabbi Krauss and Shabazz have had a more than 30-year relationship, working together on Civil Rights and social justice issues.
Shabazz said there is “angst in the Jewish community” regarding a marked increase anti-Semetic attacks as evidenced by the melee in Jersey City last December, that left three dead and others wounded.
“There is no better person than the chief law enforcement officer in the State of New Jersey, the Attorney General to address us and let people be assured that religious communities have the highest priority and focus,” Shabazz said.
The event was attended by Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo and John Armato, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner and Sheriff Eric Scheffler.
Grewal provided some sobering statistics on bias and hate crimes in New Jersey. There were 549 bias crimes in the state in 2017, 569 in 2018 and 980 in 2019. He said bias crimes are typically under-reported.
“That number troubles me as a law enforcement executive, and it should trouble each of you as residents of the state,” he told the crowd gathered in the sanctuary.
Although bias crimes often start with minor infractions, such as graffiti, they can progress to verbal harassment or violence if not held in check, he said.
Since the shooting at a Kosher supermarket in a multi-cultural community in Jersey City, law enforcement has worked with faith-based communities to say, “We will not tolerate this, not here, not now, not ever.”
Grewal recalled being at the scene a week later and noticing a small window on the second floor of a building near the supermarket where children were waving at him and NJ State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan, who was dressed in full uniform. The two entered the building and climbed a narrow staircase where Jewish boys were receiving instruction from a local rabbi. Those 24 children, aged 5-12 who witnessed the melee, greeted the law enforcement officers with a loud applause.
“They weren’t clapping for me, they were clapping for the Colonel who was in full uniform and for what that uniform represented, clapping for the first responders…and clapping for the State Police badge on his uniform.”
He called them “dozens of tiny little miracles” made possible by first responders because they were spared during the incident.
“When I push back against anti-Semitism, I think about those dozens of tiny miracles. We owe it to them, the girl in a hijab, the young boy in a turban, to do everything we can in our power to push back against hate, violence and intolerance so they won’t have to live in fear going to school. They won’t have to worry about being attacked simply because of the way they look, how they worship, where they come from or who they love,” he said.
Gruwal outlined a five-point plan to push back against bias crimes.
Use all the tools available, including the state’s domestic terrorism laws, to identify and hold accountable those who would engage in bias crimes. The Attorney General’s Office is doubling its efforts to root out hate before it escalates to violence. He said the statistics are high because the state encourages people to report bias incidents.
Hateful comments, whether in person or online, lead to more hateful comments, he said. It starts in high school and can progress through college and into adult life if not held in check. Those found guilty of hate crimes should be given the stiffest sentences without the possibility of early release, he said.
“When we see this type of conduct happening in our schools…it can’t just be a slap on the wrist because we know where it can lead,” he said.
School administrators should take advantage of a “teaching moment” and educate the student about where their behavior can lead.
He is currently working with the NJ Department of Education to include civics and hate crimes in the high school curriculum.
“Are we doing enough to teach them to be good people? Are we teaching civics and civility? Are we teaching them the lessons they might not be getting at home?”
He is working with educators to come up with recommendations “so we don’t have to deal with them through incarceration,” he said.
He quoted Nelson Mandela who said people are not born to hate, it is a behavior that is learned, he said.
“They can be taught to love because love comes much easier to the human heart than it’s opposite. That’s why I hold out hope that we can fix this,” he said.
One area where the state is trying to tamp down anti-Semitism and other hate crimes is on social media platforms, he said.
People may not have the courage to say hateful things in person, but bigots find community online and their hate becomes normalized, he said.
“Our social media companies have algorithms that steer people to certain content. We need to demand more from social media companies to police their platforms,” he said.
NJ Homeland Security and Preparedness Deputy Director Andrew Campi asked those in attendance to be “ambassadors of peace” and not let the message they were hearing end when they left the synagogue. He asked them to share the information and resources gleaned from the session with their friends, relatives and members of local law enforcement agencies.
He relayed information about several grant opportunities that non-profit organizations and religious institutions can apply for to implement facility hardening measures that can protect congregants. Additionally, the department conducts vulnerability assessments at no cost to the institution, he said.
He recommended anyone who is witnessing a hate crime to call 911 if they are in immediate danger or register the incident by calling the hotline at 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or online at www.homelandsecurity.gov.
During a question and answer session, one resident said the department should teach young people the difference between freedom of speech and bias crimes.
“It is a fine line,” Grewal said, “especially for young people who are subject to peer pressure.”
Grewal said half of all the recorded bias crimes involve juveniles.
Another attendee asked the department to ensure grant funds are available to South Jersey counties.
Attorney Seth Grossman asked if the state should relax its concealed carry laws to allow synagogue personnel to carry firearms. Grewal responded that changing the state laws would be up to the legislature.
He encouraged residents to contact their local police when planning community events to ensure their safety.
Yet another attendee recalled his youthful days when he attended a “Scared Straight” visit to Rikers Island Prison.
“Young people often respond to other young people who have come out the other side,” Grewal said, taking the suggestion under advisement.
Margate Police Chief Matthew Hankinson said the local police departments in the Downbeach area have very close relationships with religious organizations, including several synagogues and churches.
“We conduct details on the weekends at all houses of worship, do regular walk-throughs at the JCC, and have conducted security assessments in various locations,” Hankinson said. “We are very pro-active and have been very lucky there have been no serious incidents.”
Hankinson said “the big picture starts at the local level,” and that response times in Margate are less than two minutes.
“We are very service oriented. Call us,” he said.
