LAPD view of Israeli organized crime

Israeli organized crime activity in Los Angeles has gotten "a little bit worse" recently, LAPD terrorism chief Michael P. Downing told the Jerusalem Post this week on a visit in Tel Aviv. He also alluded to "a little bit of convergence between terrorism and organized crime." But what was really interesting was Downing's comment about that Oct. 29 shooting of two rabbis at Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic synagogue in North Hollywood, initially feared to be somehow terrorist or hate-related.

After arriving at the synagogue, Downing quickly realized it was not a terrorist attack.

"The two victims had been kneecapped. That's not indicative of terrorism. It resembled a targeted, surgical strike," said the deputy chief.

"Within a few hours we were able to say that this was in no way linked to terror," he added.

"They were targeted as part of a stern warning linked to a criminal organization," Downing said.

Do tell more.