Police Across Md. Increasing Patrols Around Area Mosques Following New Zealand Mass Shooting
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore Police have increased patrol around area mosques following the mass shootings at two New Zealand mosques.
Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said during a Friday press conference that they've also reached out to the community faith leaders to offer extra patrols around their mosques.
"With this level of sensitivity we want to be sensitive to make sure we're doing our due diligence to make sure these type of incidents don't happen here," Harrison said, " to bring some level of calmness and comfort to those of that faith community.
Anne Arundel County Police have also increased patrol around area mosques.
At three area mosques, Anne Arundel County police will have officers in uniform and undercover, in the area for evening prayer services.
Baltimore County and Harford County officials also said that they have increased police presence at local mosques.
The increase of police presence at local mosques comes following Thursday's shooting.
Forty-nine people were killed and dozens of others were injured after a gunman opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
An Australian man who claimed responsibility for the first attack wrote a manifesto referencing "white genocide" driven by "mass immigration," CBS News reported.
The gunman live streamed the shooting as it was happening.
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