LAKEWOOD, NJ – After a small anti-Semitic group based out of Iowa declared Saturday, February 25th as a “National Day of Hate”, police across the country are taking the threats seriously, but most doubt Americans are going to act on the obscure group’s call for violence.
Since making that declaration, several other neo-nazi and anti-Jewish groups have echoed the call for a day of hate, but at this point, most law enforcement agencies are taking a cautious approach.
In Lakewood, where a large number of Orthodox Jews reside, Poice Captain Gregory Staffordsmith said the department is closely monitoring the situation.
“We, along with other agencies throughout the State, have been advised that social media posts are circulating online in reference a “National Day of Hate”, Saturday February 25th. At this time there isn’t any credible information to suggest that these threats will impact New Jersey, more specifically, Lakewood,” Capt. Staaffordsmith said. “However, in response we have increased the number of on duty officers, both marked and unmarked to ensure the safety of our residents. In addition, we are closely monitoring this situation with assistance from our Federal, State, County and Local partners to ensure the communication of any actionable information.”
Residents in Lakewood, Jackson and surrounding areas are asked to call the police department if they see any credible threats.
The extremist groups are calling upon their followers to commit acts of violence and to record them to post online.
