LAKEWOOD, NJ – Ocean County Sheriff’s Deputies were deployed across Lakewood in the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that killed over 1,000 people. Eleven American citizens have been confirmed dead.
Multiple Ocean County Sheriff’s Department officers were seen patrolling Lakewood and deployed outside major sites such as the Beth Medrash Govoa Yeshiva. BMG is the largest Orthodox Jewish university in America.
“Our office is assisting with extra patrols in Lakewood during these uncertain times,” Sheriff Michael Mastronardy’s office said today in a statement.
Mastronardy has been a strong supporter of the Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood. In return, the community has also been supportive of the sheriff. In 2022, the community endorsed Mastronardy’s failed attempt to become chairman of the Ocean County GOP, where he lost to George Gilmore, despite near unanimous support from the community.
Today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, another strong supporter of the Jewish community in New Jersey will meet with community leaders in Hoboken for a vigil to honor the victims of the October 7th terrorist attack.
The FBI is closely monitoring the situation but says there are no credible threats in the United States at this time.
“While the FBI does not have specific and credible intelligence indicating a threat to the United States stemming from the Hamas attacks in Israel, we are closely monitoring unfolding events and will share relevant information with our state, local, federal, and international law enforcement, intelligence, and homeland security partners to ensure they are prepared for any impacts to public safety. We will not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people,” the FBI said. “We are closely coordinating with our counterparts in the region as well as other international partners. Through our Legal Attaché office in Israel, FBI personnel are working with our partners on the ground to locate and identify any impacted Americans. Reports of deceased, injured, or missing Americans are being treated with the utmost urgency and aggressively investigated. The FBI’s Victim Services Division is coordinating with the Department of State to assist, as necessary, with family engagement.”