Police Add Patrols at South Brunswick Mosque

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - In response to a fatal shooting Sunday night at a mosque in Quebec City — an incident the Canadian government is calling a terrorist attack against Muslims — South Brunswick police have added extra patrols at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey, Chief Raymond Hayducka announced early Monday morning.

It was a decision the police department made overnight, after six people were killed and eight others were wounded in the Quebec mosque attack at 8 p.m. Sunday. There will be officers at the South Brunswick mosque off Rt. 1 around the clock, 24/7 for the next few days, police said.

"The safety of our community is top priority. We have increased patrols of the mosque, working w/ State, Fed law enforcement," Chief Hayducka said in a tweet sent out by the police department. Chief Hayducka later expanded his comments, saying:

“The events of last night in Canada have increased concerns by many. I have been in contact with members of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey and reassured them of our commitment. We have enhanced our presence around the mosque as both a deterrence and reassurance. We continue to work with our county, state, and federal law enforcement partners on intelligence sharing. There is no information of any threats to our community. We ask the public to be vigilant and to report anything unusual or suspicious.”

"This is to give worshipers peace of mind," added police spokesman Capt. James Ryan. "We have police patrols at all our houses of worship, but this is an increased presence."

Anyone with any concerns about unusual activity can contact South Brunswick Police Department at (732) 329-4646 or 911.