OCEAN COUNTY – Local police offered sympathy to those hurt and killed by the attacks in Pittsburgh, and vowed to prosecute hate crimes here.
A joint statement by the Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, and Ocean County Police Chiefs Association saluted the officers who were injured responding to the attacks at the Tree of Life Synagogue.
“We offer our deepest sympathy to the families, friends, and community of the 11 innocent victims,” a statement read. “Violence and hatred on the basis of religion have no place in our society. We are committed to working together to put an end to religious intolerance and anti-Semitism.”
Locally, bias intimidation crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, police said. Anyone who witnesses such crimes should report them to their local police, or the Bias Crimes Hotline at 800-277-BIAS.
The statement was signed by Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, and Berkeley Police Chief Karin DiMichele, who is president of the Ocean County Police Chiefs Association.
