RAN - Portland police are increasing patrols around local mosques in response to concerns raised by hate-filled letters received by mosques in other cities that warned Muslims to leave the country or face genocide.
Although no such letters were received by mosques in Portland, some area Muslims are apparently worried after seeing national news stories about them. A city gang outreach worker with ties to the local Muslim community heard about the concerns and contacted the Portland Office of Youth Violence Protection, which notified the police.
This is an example of the community working together to watch out for one another,” says office policy manager Tom Peavy, who talked about the increased patrols at the Friday meeting of the Community Police Collaborative.
Peavey did not say how longer the increased patrols would continue.
Handwritten, photocopied letters were sent to mosques in California, Ohio, Michigan, Rhode Island, Indiana, Colorado and Georgia. They were addressed to “the children of Satan” and praised President-elect Donald Trump. The letters were signed, “Americans for a Better Way.”
The FBI has said the letters do not constitute a hate crime because they do not contain any specific threats.
The Community Police Collaborative is a biweekly gathering of law enforcement officials, social workers, members of the faith community and others working to reduce youth violence. Peavey is the secretary.
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