Mayor Adams Declares Emergency: NYC to Deploy Counterterrorism Units Ahead of Hanukkah After Deadly Sydney Attack

Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch have announced sweeping security enhancements throughout New York City ahead of Hanukkah, citing a wave of violent incidents both domestically and internationally—including a deadly antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia.

Speaking Sunday afternoon, Adams addressed multiple fatal shootings reported within the past 24 hours. He referenced a mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island, a Brooklyn incident that wounded six teenagers attending a Sweet 16 party, and the overseas attack targeting Jewish individuals celebrating Hanukkah.

Adams stated that the Sydney attack, which claimed over a dozen lives and injured dozens more, was an antisemitic act directed specifically at Jewish worshippers observing the holiday. “The last 24 hours,” Adams told reporters, “we’ve witnessed a tragedy that has swept our entire globe. We went to sleep with the horrific report of a mass shooting at Brown University. We woke up in the middle of the night to the news of a local one: Six individuals—teenagers, young people—were shot in Brooklyn. We woke up this morning to hear about a devastating terrorist attack in Australia.”

The mayor emphasized that his city is deploying counterterrorism units and specialized police forces around synagogues, menorah lightings, and Jewish institutions to ensure public safety amid escalating global antisemitism. He underscored the critical role of these specialized teams in responding to terror threats and warned against minimizing extremist violence.

“This attack did not come out of nowhere,” Adams said. “It came as the consequence of Islamic extremists. And we must be clear: It is not an attack on our Muslim brothers and sisters, who carry out their faith every day—but rather the hijacking of their religion by Islamic extremists.”

Adams also took aim at his successor, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who has refused to condemn “globalize the intifada” rhetoric. “That attack in Sydney is exactly what it means to globalize intifada,” Adams stated. “We saw the actual application of globalization of intifada in Sydney because the attacker knew precisely who he was targeting and why.”

“It is the first night of Hanukkah, the festival of lights where Jews are obligated to publicize their faith,” Adams added. “Among the victims were a rabbi with ties to Crown Heights and a Holocaust survivor.” He declared, “A rabbi and a Holocaust survivor killed for being Jewish.”

Antisemitism has no place in New York City, its society, or the world, according to Adams. He vowed continued support for the Jewish community: “I will continue to fight for this community and all communities of this city and for fellow brothers and sisters from the Jewish community. For the past four years, this administration has stood by the Jewish community—not just as mayor, but as an ally, as a father, and as a human being.”

Adams criticized Mamdani’s proposed agenda to dismantle aggressive policing units, stating that specialized teams are essential for responding to terror threats. “Specialized units play a primary role in handling terrorist attacks of this nature,” he said. “It is ill-advised to talk about dismantling the SRG team—the same unit that responded at 345 Park Avenue when we had a lone gunman who took innocent lives.”

Commissioner Tisch provided details on the Brooklyn shooting, which occurred early Sunday morning outside a Cypress Hills event venue. Two unidentified suspects opened fire on a crowd, striking six teenagers aged 15 to 17. None of the injuries are life-threatening, and investigators indicate the incident appears gang-related.

Tisch expressed solidarity with victims: “Our hearts are with the victims, their families, Chabad, and Jewish communities here and around the world.” She noted that NYPD has maintained continuous contact with Australian law enforcement partners and is receiving real-time updates from a liaison officer stationed in Sydney.

Tisch confirmed two fatalities and nine injuries at Brown University, with no known connection to New York City. As a precaution, the NYPD has increased patrols at all city universities. Officials stated there is no known link between New York City and the attacks or specific credible threats tied to Hanukkah events.

The NYPD has significantly heightened security measures across all five boroughs, deploying enhanced uniform patrols, counterterrorism officers, heavy weapons teams, bomb squads, and community affairs officers. Tisch credited the department’s international liaison program for enabling real-time intelligence sharing with Australia, allowing adjustments to security protocols overnight.

Both Adams and Tisch reaffirmed New York City’s commitment to protecting Jewish residents and ensuring they can celebrate Hanukkah openly and safely. They urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.