AUSTIN, Texas — With the FBI warning that extremists may use the conflict in the Middle East as a reason to incite violence, law enforcement agencies across the country are on high alert.
That includes those in Central Texas. The Austin Police Department (APD) put out a statement Thursday day on the Israel-Hamas war. In the statement, APD said that its officers are on "tactical alert" for Friday, which means all officers must be in their long-sleeved uniforms and have their gear with them.
APD encourages anyone who sees suspicious activity or knows of any potential threats to call 911.
Josh Frank is a business owner who is frightened by what is happening in Israel. He said he was shocked by an email he got from his daughter's Jewish school.
"'We're just letting you know there's been, you know, that the one of the previous leaders of Hamas has asked everyone around the world on Friday, Oct. 13th to have a day of rage and target Jews around the world.' And so that my daughter's school was adding security precautions," Frank said. "I didn't sleep trying to think, 'Well, do I take my daughter to school today?'"
Shalom Austin's Rabbi Daniel Septimus said the increasing spread of antisemitism, combined with Hamas' calls for violence, makes the Jewish community more vulnerable. The center is coordinating with APD, Mayor Kirk Watson's office and the city manager for support.
APD also put out a statement, stating that it has directed patrols in multiple locations throughout the city.
"So any time those threats come forward, whether they're credible or not, there's always someone who can act on an individual basis, a lone wolf actor. And we want to make sure that we're always anticipating every single scenario," Septimus said.
While Septimus stayed tight-lipped on the measures Shalom Austin is taking to protect itself, he stressed there is a balance he still wants his community to achieve.
"We don't want these threats and the horrible, horrendous acts that Hamas committed to take away from the life that we want to live," Septimus said.
Meanwhile, Pflugerville ISD and Pflugerville ISD Police said they're both monitoring the conflict and are also working to determine any possible threats to their campuses. Police in San Antonio and Houston issued a similar message asking residents to remain vigilant and aware of how current world events could impact Texas.
Below is APD's full post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: