The Crown Heights Riot, 30 Years Later: Lessons for Policing and Journalism

Thirty years ago, a car accident in Crown Heights spurred days of antisemitic rioting. The violence against Jews was incited by political leaders and prolonged by the lack of a swift police response. Homes were smashed, stores were looted and burned, and many Jews were the victims of random street attacks, including Yankel Rosenbaum, who was fatally stabbed. Have law enforcement and media learned to respond more appropriately and effectively in the past 30 years? Have they helped quell issues or exacerbated them? Have the same factors been at play in bringing out antisemitism and anti-police rioting? And what can we learn going forward? Commissioner Ray Kelly and Professor Ari Goldman joined us in Crown Heights to share their on-the-ground experiences, reflections, and suggestions for the future. The conversation was moderated by Hannah Elka Meyers, director of policing and public safety at the Manhattan Institute.