NORFOLK, Va. — U.S. law enforcement agencies are ramping up security in Jewish and Muslim communities as Hamas calls for worldwide protests on Friday.
Tension is heightened amid the war in Israel escalating and the number of deaths climbing. Leaders are concerned about what Hamas is calling a possible "day of rage." Hamas is the militant group responsible for Saturday's bombing of Israel, leading local and federal law enforcement agencies across the country to step up their patrols and increase their presence.
FBI Norfolk says they plan to work closely with law enforcement agencies in Hampton Roads roads to keep a very close eye on any threats made.
FBI Norfolk's statement, provided to News 3, is as follows:
"The FBI is aware of open-source reports about calls for global action on Friday, October 13th that may lead to demonstrations in communities throughout the United States. FBI Norfolk is working closely with our law enforcement partners in Hampton Roads to share information and identify and disrupt any threats that may emerge. As always, we take seriously any tips or leads we receive regarding potential threats and investigate them rigorously to determine their credibility. The FBI encourages members of the public to remain vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement."
While FBI Norfolk and other agencies are on high alert, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-Va) is pushing for funding for a security grant for nonprofit organizations to protect them from attacks, including houses of worship such as synagogues.
News 3 also reached out to Hampton Roads police departments to see if and how they are preparing for the possible global protests.
Newport News:
"Earlier this week, Chief Drew met with representatives from the United Jewish Community Center of the Virginia Peninsula to ensure that resources will be available in the event of any heightened danger to Newport News synagogues as well as other places of worship and throughout the city. In addition, we continue to work with our intelligence community on the state, local and federal levels for any additional information so we remain current on any updates."
Virginia Beach:
"The Virginia Beach Police Department is aware of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas overseas and is closely monitoring the situation for any potential impact on our community. As a precautionary measure, we have increased patrols near places of worship of the Jewish and Muslim communities, and, as always, our officers remain vigilant at all times. We encourage everyone to report any suspicious activities they encounter, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our citizens."
