FBI Holds Town Hall to Educate Lakewood Community About Hate Crimes

By Hamodia Staff

Law enforcement officials from the FBI met with approximately seventy-five representatives of the Lakewood community to share information what to do in the event of a hate crime, and explained the resources available at the Bureau to combat the scourge of bias incidents that have escalated in recent months.

Joshua Obsfeld, Senior Supervisory Intelligence Analyst (SSIA) at the Newark office of the FBI, moderated the town hall meeting where law enforcement officials spoke about various approaches, many not well-known to the general public, that can be used to prevent these crimes. The officials explained what the Bureau does on their end regarding bias and hate crimes that are reported, and advised citizens what they can do if they are victimized.

The session was part of the FBI’s Citizens Academy, which gives business, religious, civic, and community leaders an inside look at the FBI to foster a greater understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community.