War in Middle East prompts Winnipeg police to boost patrols around places of worship, cultural centres

The fear and insecurity stemming from the war in the Middle East has led to an increased presence by Winnipeg police aroundcultural centres, schools, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship in the city.

The police service continuously monitors world events and their potential impact on the safety and security of the local community, the service said in a news release and social media posts on Thursday.

Immediately after theattacks in Israel last weekend, Winnipeg policeincreased patrols around those venues, and people can expect to see that continued and possibly escalatedin affected communities, the release said.

Police will also be visibleat rallies and protests.

"Nothing can justify the slaughter of innocent people going about their lives," Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth, who is president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, said in the release.

"We are disgusted that anyone would celebrate these attacks, or in any way associate these acts as support for the Palestinian people."

WATCH: Increased police patrolsin wake of Israel-Hamas conflict:

Winnipeg police step up patrols in wake of Israel-Hamas conflict

1 year ago

Duration 2:29

There are more police officers around cultural centres, schools, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship in Winnipeg as violence flares in the Middle East.

The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg put out a warning Thursday,stressing that it's taking proactive steps out of an abundance of caution, including at the Asper Jewish Community Campus.

"As they show up to campus today and tomorrow, they'll see services provided by the Winnipeg Police Service there's uniformedpolice officers;there isprotection in the area," said Gustavo Zentner, the federation's president.

Zentner saidthe community is aware of communications onlinepromoting a day of mobilization for supporters of Hamas.

TheCongregation Etz Chayimin Winnipeg is taking extra security precautions as well.

Avrom Charach, president of the synagogue, said people in the community are "panic-stricken."

"Mydaughter, for example, she's taken off the Magen David [also known as the Star of David] she usually wears, because she's afraid someone's going to attack her," Charach said.

"It's not just Jewish people feeling that.Most people of good conscience are just horrified at what's going on."

Other cities boosting patrols

Police in other cities have also stepped up patrolsafter hearing concerns from community leaders.

In a news release issued Wednesday, Toronto police said they were aware of "global online threats" circulatingabout "events that may occur on Friday."

"This war has shaken the feelings of peace and security here at home," Chief Myron Demkiwsaid at a news conference Thursday.

In a statement on X(formerly Twitter), Peel Regional Police ChiefNishan Duraiappahsaid his force is also monitoring the situationand has "increased deployment of resources."