Bergen Sheriff Steps Up Patrol After Texas, Ohio Mass Shootings

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ—In the wake of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas on Saturday and in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton said police across the county have boosted patrol efforts.

“While there is no specific or credible threat at this time, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office is working cooperatively with local law enforcement to provide increased patrol of houses of worship and public spaces,” Cureton said on Sunday.

Over the weekend, a massacre at an El Paso shopping center left 20 people dead and 26 other injured. A 21-year-old man surrendered shortly after Saturday’s rampage, authorities said.

Less than 24 hours later, nine people were killed and 27 wounded after a 24-year-old man opened fire in Dayton’s entertainment district. The shooter is also dead, authorities said.

Both attacks come less than a week after a shooting at a California music festival left three dead.

Cureton said “I am deeply disturbed and saddened, yet again, by two horrific mass shootings gripping our nation this weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. My heart goes out to the families grieving from this tragedy and I am thankful for the heroic efforts taken by local first responders and law enforcement who neutralized both situations, preventing even further loss of life.”

“Though the motive of the shooter in Dayton is not yet clear, it has been confirmed that the domestic terrorist in El Paso was driven by hatred. It is unproductive and problematic to ignore the rising number of biased crimes across our nation and we must all come together to denounce these continued acts of hate,” the sheriff said.

“As always, the safety and security of all Bergen County residents is of the utmost importance to the Bergen County Sheriff's Office. Bergen County must continue to be a welcoming place for everyone and that starts with making sure residents feel safe going about their daily lives. Hate, racism, and bigotry has no home here in Bergen County and the BCSO will continue to work to keep all our families, friends, and loved ones safe,” he said.