Synagogue Threats Spur Increased Patrols In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Update: According to a Nixle alert from the Borough of Interlaken at 10:11 a.m., the person who made the threat has been apprehended. The person is described as a lone actor who is an extremist. The Borough said no further information is going to be provided at this time.

In response to a warning from the FBI about a "broad threat" to synagogues across New Jersey, Westfield Police Department has increased its presence at all "sensitive locations."

"The Westfield Police Department is closely following the FBI's advisory and heightened security level regarding threats to our friends in the Jewish Community," the police wrote on Facebook Thursday. "We have increased our presence at all sensitive locations. As always, we are in frequent contact with our neighbors in the Jewish community and will always be there to ensure their safety until the threat passes."

Mayor Shelley Brindle also posted on Facebook that the Police Department takes this threat "very seriously" and Chief Christopher Battiloro has been in direct contact with Temple Emanu-El and the Union County Torah Center-Chabad to offer all available assistance.

"Today's upsetting news of credible threats being made to synagogues across New Jersey represents an important reminder of the need to publicly stand as a community with our Jewish friends and neighbors," Brindle stated Thursday.

In addition, Brindle said she has reached out to Rabbi Ethan Prosnit at Temple Emanu-El and offered "any additional support from the Town that his congregation needs."

"We as a community must be vocal in denouncing these acts of antisemitism and serve as allies united against hate, today and every day," Brindle said.

Patch will update this article if any more information becomes available.