Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel praised the NYC Police Department for its actions in arresting two men they charged with plotting an attack on a New York synagogue.

He said, “These arrests remind me of the plot in Riverdale, where I live, when a terror group plotted to kill as many people as possible at the Riverdale Jewish Center and Riverdale Temple, as well as shoot down planes from Stewart Airport with missiles. Thankfully they were convicted and sent to prison.

“I congratulate the New York City Police on their work in this latest case and thwarting any assault. The police say the two, from North Africa, brought several guns and a hand grenade which to me indicates a depraved desire to kill many people.

“And while the two appeared to be acting on their own initiative, in the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden we must be even more vigilant. The depth of the hatred among extremists is unfathomable to civilized people, but that means we must take special care.

“The Department of Homeland Security warns that such ‘lone wolves’ can be as dangerous as extremists, and by being unaffiliated, could be more difficult to apprehend.

“Several years ago, because of such plots, I proposed that Homeland Security allocate money for security measures for religious groups and other non-profit organizations that could be targets for violence. Money from the Department of Homeland Security was given to New York State and used recently to purchase security systems for these institutions for protection from terrorism. We must do more so that these institutions can protect themselves.

“I’m renewing my call to the Department of Homeland Security to provide further resources so houses of worship and other institutions that are probable targets can help in protecting themselves.”

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