A New York City woman, Hadasa Bozakkaravani, accused of a hate crime attack, turned herself in to the police after allegedly throwing hot coffee and her cellphone at a man. The incident, which occurred at Edmonds Playground near Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, involved anti-Islamic statements before the assault. Bozakkaravani faces nine charges, including four hate crime charges.
Recent reports indicate a significant increase in hate crimes in New York City since the Middle East unrest in early November, particularly anti-Muslim attacks amid heightened tensions from the Israel-Hamas conflict. According to the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force report, incidents like Bozakkaravani’s assault rose by 124% last month. Additionally, there has been a 214% spike in anti-Jewish incidents compared to October 2022.
Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban emphasized the collaborative effort between the NYPD and the community to address public safety concerns. The report underscores the shared responsibility required from everyone in every neighborhood to maintain low crime levels and further reduce violence and disorder in the city.