Photo: AFP
We've reported this week that law enforcement on the Treasure Coast has increased patrols near synagogues after Iran's attack on Israel last weekend.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw tells us that his agency did that months ago...immediately after the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas.
"Our initial response was to increase our footprint at all of the religious institutions but in particular the synagogues and the mosques, because you've got a segment of the population that will use that to attack both sides of the issue."
He says the sheriff's office has been addressing antisemitism in the county since long before October, after hateful flyers started being dropped onto front lawns of homes.
"We know when the special events are going to be, we network with the security people for all of the Jewish institutions."
Passover begins on Monday and Bradshaw says his team will be ready to keep everybody safe.
In the meantime, some advice for members of the Jewish community during these tense times.
"Do what you normally would do. Don't be afraid. See the terrorists, that's what they want. They want you to be afraid. So my message is, we're going to protect you. We're going to make sure that we can keep you as safe as we can keep you, so don't let these people win."