County delays shul’s plan to add protection

The Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst (YILC), a synagogue that sits at the corner of West Broadway and Spruce Street in Cedarhurst, wants to install protective bollards, rigid pole-like structures, in front of its property.

The Village of Cedarhurst approved an amendment of their village code at a board meeting on Feb. 16, asserting their authority to allow the installation of bollards in the sidewalk in front of the religious institution or in any other place the board deems appropriate.

“The village is prepared to license YILC to install bollards that will not interfere with normal vehicular or pedestrian traffic,” said Mayor Benjamin Weinstock. “I was recently informed that YILC is reexamining its security plan and will contact the village if bollards are still desired.”

YILC’s Executive Director, Marvin Schenker said he attended a nationwide executive directors’ where global acts of terrorism were discussed. He became alarmed about the possibility of something similar happening in his own community.

“In this day and age, I don’t want to be the first synagogue (in the Five Towns) to get hit,” Schenker said.

“During Saturdays and holidays, lots of people gather and mingle outside in front of our building and on the sidewalks. I’ve been told about scary situations elsewhere in the world. Just like the recent situation in [San Bernardino] California, that could happen here. It could happen anywhere. I don’t want a car to try ramming our building. Bollards would protect the people and pedestrians.” The executive director said he wasn’t sure what YILC would do yet about the village’s recent decision.

According to Nassau County law, installing rigid bollards is not permitted because they would stop a car dead in its tracks, and the county’s intent is to protect both pedestrians and motorists. The county also adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which states that a clear zone of about 10 feet at a street corner needs to be adequate for a pedestrian ramp to allow people access to the sidewalks there.