NEW YORK, NY May 23, 2008 —City Black and Jewish officials met in Crown Heights yesterday to denounce bias crimes in the Brooklyn neighborhood. They warned more vigilance is needed to avoid a repeat of the unrest the neighborhood experienced seventeen years ago.

Recent incidents include the beating and robbing of a Jewish teenager and the beating of a 29-year-old black man.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says increased police presence, combined with improved community relations, will keep the peace.

BLOOMBERG: We are changing our tactics every day as we do in every situation - we've had the people from all the communities in Crown Heights into city hall - but I can tell you this city is very different than the days of old when Crown Heights was a flash point.

REPORTER: In 1991, three days of riots resulted in dozens of injured civilians and police officers.