Austin police say that starting next Wednesday, as the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha begins, worshippers will see more uniformed officers around local mosques and other faith gatherings. Announced Thursday, the department is calling the move precautionary and says there are no known or credible threats to Austin at this time. The stepped-up presence will focus on services and community events, with the aim of offering extra reassurance to worshippers and faith leaders. Officials say they are also coordinating with state and federal partners, along with local faith communities, as the holiday approaches.
The plan was outlined in a post on the department's X account and first reported by CBS Austin. It comes in the wake of a deadly attack this week at the Islamic Center of San Diego that left three people dead and is being investigated as a possible hate crime, according to AP News.
What APD is doing
In its post, the department described Austin as "a diverse and vibrant community, enriched by people of many cultures, faith, and backgrounds" and said APD "remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive Austin," as reported by CBS Austin. Extra patrols are scheduled to ramp up around the start of Eid and will include officers at worship services and related events. Residents are being urged to report any suspicious activity by calling 911, and the department says it is working in tandem with state and federal partners as well as local faith groups.
Community groups call for vigilance
Civil-rights organizations and mosque leaders have been asking for heightened protection in the wake of the San Diego shooting. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has called on law enforcement agencies to increase security and directed houses of worship to its "Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety" booklet, according to a CAIR press release (CAIR). CAIR-Texas has also encouraged community members to document and report any incidents and has offered local contacts for support.
How to report concerns
Austin residents who spot suspicious behavior are asked to call 911 immediately and to use the city's "We All Belong" anti-hate hub for additional reporting tools and resources at austintexas.gov/againsthate. The site provides translated reporting cards, a hate-crime data dashboard and guidance for community groups on prevention and response.
Federal authorities are assisting the San Diego investigation, and that shooting is being probed as a possible hate crime, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times. Austin officials say the expanded patrols here are intended to steady nerves and reassure local worshippers while investigators continue their work elsewhere.
