Vancouver Police step up security around places of worship, community centres amid conflict in Israel
Posted October 7, 2023 1:28 pm.
Last Updated October 8, 2023 8:45 am.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says additional officers may be seen near places of worship and community centres Saturday, due to the ongoing situation in Israel.
“As we work with law enforcement partners and community leaders to ensure everyone’s safety, you may see additional VPD officers patrolling near some places of worship and community centres,” the VPD said in a social media post.
Police say there’s “currently no specific threat to public safety in Vancouver.”
The attacks against Israel and the escalation of violence in the Middle East are a great concern to many people in our community. As we work with law enforcement partners and community leaders to ensure everyone’s safety, you may see additional VPD officers patrolling near some…
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 7, 2023
This comes amid ongoing fighting in the Middle East. As of 1 p.m. Saturday at least 200 people were dead, 1,500 were injured, and more were being held hostage, following strikes by the Hamas militant group on Israel.
In Gaza, the Palestinian health ministry said nearly 250 were dead with over 1,700 injured from counter attacks.
Israel’s prime minister says his country is at war.
“The attacks against Israel and the escalation of violence in the Middle East are a great concern to many people in our community,” the VPD said in a social media post.
Meanwhile, various Canadian politicians have also taken to social media Saturday to condemn the surprise attack.
