Following the attacks on 2 Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand where fifty were murdered with scores more injured the Culver City Police Department wasn't taking any chances and deployed 4 patrol cars with numerous officers clearly visible at the King Fahad Mosque.
CCPD Lt. Troy Dunlap said that they would do this for any threats and that police presence would continue. He said in situations like this the police department would, "Do anything we can for anybody." He pointed to the good working relationship CCPD had with the Mosques and other churches and temples in the city.
It was over a decade ago that religious statues had been defaced in the schoolyard at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Upon learning of the crime, a representative of the Mosque called Culver City Police and reported that they were sure the perpetrator was a former attendee at the Mosque and had been expelled. Armed with that knowledge and the name of the suspect, police were able to make an arrest in short order.
While there were no credible threats in the United States and it appears the murderer acted alone Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen released the following statement, "While we are not aware of any current, credible or active threat domestically, nor of any current information regarding obvious ties between the perpetrators in New Zealand and anyone in the US- the Department is cognizant of the potential concerns members of Muslim-American communities may have as they gather at today's congregational prayers."
Culver City Mayor Thomas Small's issued the following statement of condolences and solidarity, "On behalf of the City of Culver City, I send our deepest condolences to the people of Christchurch. We stand in solidarity with you against hate. We support our Muslim community and all those who face violence and discrimination. It's as true today as it was in 2016, when we passed a resolution condemning violence and hate speech against Muslims or other communities on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We strongly believe in the value and beauty of a society composed of multiple cultures, and every person's right to live and practice their faith without fear."
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