Borough Park, Brooklyn - The Unusual Taste Of Fear

Borough Park, Brooklyn, NY - For years, Orthodox Jews have come here to keep the temptations and immodesty of the modern world at bay.

Many families do not own televisions or attend movies, the children attend yeshivas instead of public schools, adolescent girls do not leave the house without making certain that their knees and elbows are covered, and at weddings and funerals alike, women and men sit separately to avoid physical contact, as required by religious law.
But in the last month, the world outside has intruded sharply on this carefully tended enclave. Three times in April, young girls there have been approached by a man flashing a police badge or business card who tried to lure them into his vehicle. One of the girls, a 10-year-old, climbed into the man's car and was molested by him.

That attack and the other encounters have left many girls frightened and have increased the level of vigilance among the police and community leaders to a high pitch. "I think because we're such a sheltered community, we feel invaded," said Helen Muller, a principal at the United Talmudic Academy in Borough Park. "We've tried to shelter them from outside influences," she added. "But this whole situation brings the street into the community."

And with no suspects yet in custody, Borough Park has battened the hatches even tighter.
"I think things have changed dramatically," said Simcha Felder, a city councilman who represents the area. "There are cops all over the place. Shopkeepers are fixing their security cameras and making sure they have tape. Parents are spending a lot more time talking to their children. It's scary to most people, and everyone is on edge."

Along 16th Avenue, mothers pushing strollers, spoke of keeping their children indoors at playtime, and increased patrols by the Shomrim, the community's volunteer security force.