Lakewood Police Increase Patrols After Jersey City Shooting

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Reports that Tuesday's shootings in Jersey City that killed a police officer and three civilians people may have been a targeted attack have prompted Lakewood police to increase their patrols in the township.

Both marked and unmarked patrols have been increased throughout the town, Lakewood Police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said.

"This action is in response to preliminary indications that the attack may have been a targeted attack," Staffordsmith said. "Chief (Gregory) Meyer would like to ensure the public that we will do whatever is in our power to protect all residents of Lakewood, as well as those traveling our roadways."

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop on Wednesday said the initial investigation shows the shootershe initial investigation shows the shooters targeted the kosher grocery store, where three people were found dead along with the two shooters, who died after an hours-long standoff with police. On Wednesday morning, The New York Times reported that one of the suspects published anti-Semitic and anti-police posts online. Read more: Chilling Details Revealed After 6 Killed In Jersey City Shooting

Fulop has not yet called the shootings a hate crime but said on Twitter: "I'm Jewish and proud to live in a community like #JerseyCity that has always welcomed everyone. It is the home of #EllisIsland and has always been the golden door to America. Hate and anti-Semitism have never had a place here in JC and will never have a place in our city."

Staffordsmith said Lt. LeRoy Marshall, the department's municipal counterterrorism coordinator, has been working closely with local, county and state counterterrorism personnel as details continue to come out about the case. Officials have not labeled it a terrorist attack as of Wednesday morning.

"We will adjust our operations accordingly as we receive additional information," Staffordsmith said.

"We would like to remind the public that if you see something, say something," he said.

Staffordsmith said the Lakewood police department's "thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those killed and injured, and our support goes out to our fellow brother and sister officers in Jersey City during this difficult time."

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