NYPD Boosts Patrols Around Jewish Centers for Purim Amid Iran War

Extra security measures come after mass shooting in Austin and amid heightened threat environment

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The New York Police Department is significantly increasing patrols around Jewish institutions across the five boroughs over the next 24 hours in response to the ongoing war in Iran and the recent mass shooting in Austin, Texas. The extra security will last through the end of the Jewish holiday of Purim and involves resources from counterterrorism and other specialized teams.

Why it matters

The heightened security measures are a response to the escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, as well as the deadly attack in Austin that is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism. Jewish communities in New York City are seen as potential targets, prompting the NYPD to take extra precautions to protect them.

The details

The NYPD will be adding hundreds of additional officers to watch over various Jewish centers and neighborhoods, on top of the typical patrols in those areas. This is being done to maintain 'enhanced high-visibility patrols to sensitive locations citywide' due to the 'heightened threat environment' following the Austin shooting and in light of the ongoing conflict with Iran.

  • The extra security measures will last for at least the next 24 hours, through the end of the Jewish holiday of Purim.
  • Since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, the NYPD has been increasing police presence at various locations in the city.

The players

NYPD

The New York Police Department, which is responsible for providing enhanced security and patrols around Jewish institutions in the city.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who said the increased patrols are being done to keep New Yorkers safe and reassure them.

Jessica Tisch

The NYPD Commissioner, with whom Mayor Mamdani is in regular contact regarding the added security measures.

Kathy Hochul

The governor of New York, who said the state is working to increase patrols around Jewish and Muslim houses of worship.

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What they’re saying

“The NYPD continues to closely monitor the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. Following the mass shooting in Austin, Texas, and as Jewish communities celebrate Purim, we will maintain enhanced high-visibility patrols to sensitive locations citywide.”

— NYPD (Twitter)

“And we made the decision to not only increase agency coordination in light of what's been happening, but also to increase patrols of sensitive locations and all of this is out of abundance of caution, but we want to make sure we're taking every measure we can to not just keep New Yorkers safe, but to also reassure them.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (PIX 11)

“We will not tolerate any hate or retaliation against anyone who calls New York home because of what's happening now.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (Press Conference)

What’s next

The NYPD and city officials will continue to monitor the situation and maintain the enhanced security measures for as long as the heightened threat environment persists.

The takeaway

The increased police presence around Jewish institutions in New York City underscores the ongoing concerns about potential retaliatory attacks or hate crimes in the wake of the escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The measures aim to both enhance public safety and provide a sense of reassurance to the city's Jewish community.