Rockland County's commissioner of human rights, Ram Nagobandi, is taking a firm stance against a recent hate crime that he says has appalled the local community.

Last week, Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder, an Orthodox Jew, received a photo of an ISIS hostage about to be beheaded. Wieder's picture was placed over the victim's face, his name added in Arabic writing along with an ISIS flag.

Investigators say Wieder immediately alerted Sheriff Lou Falco, whose office is now working in conjunction with the FBI on what they describe as a "real terror threat."

Also last week, three teens hurled anti-Semitic insults and randomly assaulted Jewish customers at the Palisades Mall. Two of those suspects were arrested and charged with felony hate crimes.

Nagobandi called the photo "despicable." He says undoing racism is no easy task, but his department will continue to work toward that goal.