Almost a month ahead of the incident where Dan Sohail allegedly rammed his car into the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Brooklyn, Mamdani’s administration was actually cautioned about enhancing security, such as by installing bollards at the site, according to information obtained by The Post.
Moshe David, the executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Anti-Semitism, shared insights from a report published on December 30. Interestingly, this came just two days before Mamdani took office as mayor. He had outlined security recommendations for 2026 aimed at reducing future anti-Semitic attacks, suggesting the addition of protective features like bollards to “vulnerable” places of worship.
The Hasidic organization’s building on Eastern Parkway became a focal point when Sohail, 36, from New Jersey, was arrested after being recorded intentionally crashing his vehicle into the entrance five times during a holy observance. This site had already been identified as a high-risk location by city officials who had urged for bollard installation, as reported by a source who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons.
Former Mayor Eric Adams initiated MOCA in May, and it later collaborated with the Department of Transportation and NYPD’s Counterterrorism Threat Reduction and Infrastructure Protection Division. Their goal was to simplify the process for securing bollards in places of worship and minimize bureaucratic holdups, the report indicated.
“The 2026 expansion aims to create a dedicated budget line for installing bollards and other safety measures for vulnerable institutions,” it noted, pointing out that the success of such funding in the past suggested a similar need now.
Back in 2018, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration committed $50 million to erect over 1,500 bollards to guard against potential terrorist vehicle attacks around popular areas like Times Square and iconic sites such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This was largely a response to a series of terrorist incidents, including a tragic event where a truck driver drove down a bike lane, killing eight people.
Interestingly, local community members in Crown Heights had once proposed creating a pedestrian plaza with bollards and planters outside the well-known synagogue to enhance security. However, that plan never materialized due to inaction from City Hall.
Rabbi Eli Cohen, involved with the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, expressed concern that “this could have prevented the incident.” He added, “We hope that now there’s renewed interest in this project.”
But not everyone in the neighborhood was enthusiastic. “Some residents didn’t fully support the idea,” noted a local official acquainted with the proposal. The plaza could have hosted diverse events, including yoga sessions, in front of the synagogue.
As for how much funding the city will actually earmark for reinforcing security at the religious site, it remains uncertain due to ongoing budget discussions. Officials mentioned it could take months to commence installation.
Sam Raskin, a spokesperson for Mayor Mamdani, asserted, “He understands that the safety of our community and places of worship is non-negotiable.”
Raskin added, “The administration will take all necessary precautions to ensure that synagogues and all religious institutions are safe and secure.”
Still, individuals involved with the project argue that the city shouldn’t wait until a more tragic incident occurs. One concerned source remarked, “If this is such a priority, why not take action now? The community desires heightened security.”
