With the announcement that military strikes have taken place in Iran, Israel, and elsewhere throughout the Middle East, Governor Sherrill has been in communication with my office, Acting Superintendent Hengemuhle, and Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Thomas Hauck as we coordinate with our federal partners, the 21 County Prosecutors, and law enforcement leaders across this state, as well as community and religious leaders. It is the highest priority of the Sherrill Administration to keep the residents of the State of New Jersey safe during this time of increased tension and social media activity.

While there are no specific threats to safety in New Jersey, law enforcement will increase patrols of sensitive areas – particularly houses of worship – to ensure that everyone feels safe and secure in their communities. Law enforcement will be taking other steps – some that will be noticeable and others that may be taken out of view – and all out of an abundance of caution. We continue to call upon New Jersey residents to be extra vigilant, and if you see suspicious activity, please report it to your local authorities without delay.

Please know that we will continue to work together, implement any additional precautions, and communicate as appropriate, and that we remain steadfast in our efforts to ensure that our state is not home to hate, intolerance, or violence. We encourage all residents to report incidents of bias to their local law enforcement or to our office via the NJBIAS online portal at https://bias.njcivilrights.gov, or by calling 800-277-BIAS.