State Police To Increase Patrols Around NY Jewish Centers

In the wake of the shooting Saturday morning at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed the New York State Police to increase patrols around Jewish centers and houses of worship across the state.

"While the nation awaits further details of what occurred, initial reports suggest that this senseless act of gun violence was an anti-Semitic attack, and we stand together with the Jewish community in this difficult time as we always have before," Cuomo said.

At least six people have been injured in the shooting, including four police officers, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich.

The Clarkstown Police Department issued a press release Saturday that said it was monitoring the shooting incident in Pittsburgh. The department has increased patrol presence at all houses of worship throughout the town.

The department urged people to call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring, said his heart was with the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh and the police officers

"Our country has got to come together to solve this problem — the gun violence has to end. It's robbing too many of us our loved ones," he said.

"This shooting is a reminder that even our places of worship aren't as safe as they should be. Even after the shootings in Charleston and Sutherland Springs, we've not done enough to combat this problem. People should be able to worship freely — or go to any public space — without feeling unsafe,” Maloney said.

State Sen. David Carlucci, D-Rockland, called the shooting horrific.

"The targeting of any house of worship is disgraceful. These are places where people should always feel safe to worship freely. I am keeping the victims, their families, and law enforcement in my thoughts and prayers, as I know fellow New Yorkers are doing as well,” he said.

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Photo credit: NYSP.