Thursday, August 12, 1999
Columbus police step up guard for Jewish games
BY DAVID JACOBS
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — Officers stood watch Wednesday as hundreds of young Jewish athletes competed in an Olympic-style event, one of many instances around the nation of tightened security after Tuesday's shootings near Los Angeles.
About 700 teen-agers from Canada, Israel, Mexico and 15 U.S. cities were in Columbus to take part in the Maccabi Youth Games, a five-day, four-city event ending today. Some participants said the wounding of youngsters at a Jewish Community Center made them nervous though it was 2,000 miles away.
“It shows you that you never know what can happen,” said Hallie Blazar, 15, of Dayton. “It's sad that something like this could happen.”
Joel Dinkin, executive director of the Jewish Community Center in Columbus, one of the hosts for the games, said an extra off-duty police officer has been added as a precaution because of the California violence.
Two officers stood watch over a tennis match in Wolfe Park, east of downtown. “It makes me feel more comfortable,” said Boris Dvorkin, 14, of suburban Bexley.
Nancy Meyer of Bexley, who is providing housing to two athletes from Washington, D.C., said they asked about the shootings.
“They were concerned about what had happened and were nervous,” she said. “They saw the security here and thought that was great.”
Opening ceremonies Sunday at Ohio State University's Value City Arena featured a tribute to 11 Israeli athletes who were killed at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.
“There's been a lot of discussion out of all of this,” said Aaron Friedberg of the Columbus area. “Hopefully with the extra security, nothing will happen here.”
He spoke before Wednesday's news that Buford O'Neal Furrow, the suspect in Tuesday's shootings, had surrendered in Las Vegas.
Jewish centers and schools had tightened security in Denver; New Orleans; Sacramento, Calif.; the Boston area; the District of Columbia; and communities in New York, Maryland and Michigan. In some cases, police increased patrols without being asked. Doors were locked and private guards posted.
Security also has been increased at the community center operated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, spokesman Marshall Weiss said Wednesday. Guards have been hired to patrol the area around the building on a 24-hour basis and an extra guard has been added inside.
Fountain going under cover
Cross-river call will require extra digit
Making a silk purse from a cow's ear
Explosion causes Florence fire
Priest on leave, admits paternity
Aronoff charged with DUI in crash
City schools seek $24 million
Five more become ill from E. coli
Lakota adopts drug policy
Man dies of injuries in hit-skip accident
Mother convicted of deadly beating
Blood donations pick up
Girl admits at trial she lied about rape
Justin's parents drop suit
Man charged with pharmacy break-ins
Public housing made better
Controversial show brings in crowds
WLW crossed line
Bra straps have gone from taboo to trend
GET TO IT
Villa Hills teen's violin soars
Ambulance use to cost nonresidents
Attempt to aid dog nets $100 ticket
Boone Co. prioritizes road projects
Clermont seeks bids on projects
Columbus police step up guard for Jewish games
County allots green for parks
County races to lay utility lines
Defendant convicted of legal sham
High temperatures could send students home early
Houston men charged in jewelry store burglary
Man convicted in second trial
Paintings stolen from downtown gallery
Residents want aquatic center
State may decide on district split
Still no clues in case of body found on farmland
Suit delays enforcement of state abortion law
Taft ducks water plan, groups say
Thrill of flying found in rig
Township ponders how to fund police
Transit center final designs to be unveiled
'Trashtrap' boat cleans up Ky. lake
TRISTATE DIGEST
Two resisting term limits
Visit by principal can be fun
