Car Explosion And Vandalism Rattle Woodmere Community Amid Rising Security Concerns

By Yochanan Gordon

5TJT Staff Writer

WOODMERE, NY—A car explosion in the early hours of Monday morning, June 9, has shaken residents of the typically quiet and tight-knit Five Towns community. The blast, which occurred around 3:00 a.m. on West Broadway, blew out the windows of Avi’s Auto Center, prompting immediate concern among local residents and officials.

Just blocks away, tensions continued to mount. A banner was discovered hanging outside the Israel Chessed Center, referencing the growing death toll in Gaza. The windows were blown out at nearby ASAP Restoration as well. While no injuries were reported, the incidents have intensified fears over targeted acts of intimidation against Jewish institutions.

Local residents say the back-to-back events have underscored growing vulnerabilities in a region that has, until now, been considered relatively insulated.

“This didn’t happen in Manhattan or on a college campus—it happened right here in Woodmere,” said a longtime community member who asked not to be named. “It’s no longer a question of if we need more security. It’s how quickly we can get it in place.”

Since the October 7th Hamas attacks, security concerns have escalated sharply across Jewish communities worldwide. In the Five Towns, that anxiety has taken on new urgency as pro-Palestinian activism has increasingly spilled from protests into public spaces—and now, possibly, into criminal acts.

Rabbi Yossi Eliav, a Chabad shliach serving the Clinton Hill community and the campus at Pratt Institute, has spent considerable time reflecting on security in this new reality. Recognizing the unique threats facing Jewish institutions today, he assembled a team of 40 security and technology experts to create a cutting-edge system designed to meet these challenges head-on—like nothing else currently out there.

Their service—U.S. Virtual Guard—offers 24/7 live human monitoring combined with advanced AI that detects intruders, loiterers, or suspicious activity in real time. Unlike traditional cameras that simply record, this is a proactive security solution, allowing trained agents to intervene immediately—often using loudspeakers to deter intruders before a crime occurs. The system requires no on-site equipment and integrates with most existing camera systems, making it fast and cost-effective to deploy.

It’s ideal for homes, vacation properties left vacant for long periods, shuls, schools, and businesses aiming to reduce security costs. Traditional guards take breaks, get distracted, or fall asleep—this is security that never sleeps.

Rabbi Eliav is not suggesting that U.S. Virtual Guard replace on-site guards in high-traffic areas like shuls and schools during the day—but rather fill the critical gap that exists at night, when no one is watching. “Unfortunately, many attacks are planned for or occur when a property is empty,” he said. “If we’re serious about protection, we need 24/7 eyes on our institutions.”

Please refer to their ad in this week’s issue of the 5TJT, and call 718-208-2020 to learn how you can help protect your family, business, and community—before the next incident happens.

Law enforcement is still investigating Monday morning’s explosion and has not publicly linked it to the adjacent vandalism incidents. However, with emotions running high and the potential for further escalation, community leaders are calling for calm—and vigilance.

“This is our home,” said another resident. “We’re not going anywhere. But we have to be smart—and prepared.”