11:45AM: The NYPD’s annual pre-Passover briefing held at Police Headquarters is underway. Hundreds of religious leaders, Jewish community representatives and members of the service are in attendance.

The annual conference is where religious and community leaders are provided information by the NYPD on the current threat environment and implications for New York City during the upcoming Passover holiday.

The Pre-Passover Briefing began in 1979 with 12 Jewish community leaders. Since 1991, and with the development of the Clergy Liaison program, the briefing has evolved into an information sharing community meeting with hundreds of religious leaders in attendance.

The NYPD will deploy additional resources including “Hercules” patrols by heavily armed officers to synagogues, Jewish neighborhoods and other potentially sensitive locations during the religious holiday. Foot posts, visits by officers to synagogues, outreach by community affairs officers, a heightened presence of anti-crime units to deter theft, and patrols by special “house of worship” cars will all be part of how the Department will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. It similarly increases security at religious institutions during other religious holidays.

Photos, as well as additional details on the meeting will be published later.

PHOTOS BY HILLEL ENGEL FOR YWN:

(Charles Gross – YWN)