Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies are rolling up their presence around churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship across the county, the sheriff’s office said Thursday. There is no known local threat, but deputies will be noticeably more visible at entrances and during services. Faith leaders were told the department will keep direct lines open with congregations and residents are being urged to report anything that feels off.
The sheriff's office said the move is being made "out of an abundance of caution" and that patrols around religious sites are being stepped up, according to KCRA. Officials added that deputies are in contact with local religious leaders and will maintain a direct line to law enforcement as the heightened patrols continue.
The decision follows Thursday’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, where authorities say a man rammed a vehicle into the building and was fatally shot after security confronted him. Federal agents called the incident "a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community," according to the Associated Press. The outlet reported that no staff or children at the synagogue's early childhood center were hurt, though a security officer was struck by the vehicle and hospitalized and the vehicle later caught fire.
How Local Leaders Are Responding
Religious organizations in Sacramento are revisiting security plans and touching base with deputies, something they typically do after major incidents, and the sheriff's office said it will stay in contact with faith leaders to coordinate any support that may be needed, as reported by KCRA. Officials are encouraging congregations to keep emergency contact lists up to date and to report suspicious activity without hesitation.
Sheriff's officials are also asking congregations to remind volunteers of on-site safety protocols and to treat tips from the public as serious leads. Anyone who sees something concerning is urged to call 9-1-1 in an emergency or use the Sacramento County Sheriff’s non-emergency line to share information and tips.
