By MARIO DIAZ pix11.com | @mariopix11

9:46 p.m. EST, January 11, 2012
PASSAIC, NJ (PIX11)—
While Passaic detectives assisted police in Rutherford with their investigation following Wednesday morning's sinister pyro attack, authorities back at headquarters along Passaic St. were already on high alert. The goal? To catch the fire-bomber before he lights up in their backyard.

PIX 11 took a ride with Detective Captain Ross Capuana a lifer of the force and of Passaic, "I'm 44-years-old. I was born in 1967. I became a police officer 22-years-ago. Captain about six to seven years ago. I love working in this town. I was born and raised here. My dad still lives in this town," Capuana said during a ride along.

After the firebombing at the Congregation Beth El, a short drive from his hometown, Capuana knew this would be a different day, "My reaction was that we were going to have a very busy day. We know that when you deal with a bias incident like the one that occurred last night in Rutherford, that the awareness of the Jewish Community was going to be lifted ten-fold."

When asked if he ever recalled a Molotov cocktail cocktail hate crime in Passaic, Capuana said, "No, it hasn't happened in this town since I've been involved in this police department."

In a town like Passaic, which houses one of the largest Jewish communities in the nation, with approximately 1500 Orthodox families, news of a firebomber means the force has to be even more proactive. "We are a soft target without a doubt," said Capuana. When asked to provide further insight to his answer, "A soft target into regards that it's not an industrial building like the World Trade Center or Empire State Building, but one that's not known to the outside, but we know that in this town that it makes up a large part of our community.

PIX 11 did speak with Rabbi Ron Eisenman from Temple Ahavas Israel in Passiac. Rabbi Eisenman indicated he was tempering his concern to avoid overreacting and creating a frenzy. Seconds later, he also added we want to be secure and cautious.