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Calif. cities boost patrols in response to U.S.-Iran tensions

Officials say police departments are deploying ‘additional resources’ to ‘key locations’ city-wide

Anna Bauman
San Francisco Chronicle

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — San Francisco police are increasing patrols throughout the city in response to heightened tension between the U.S. and Iran, although there is no credible threat to the city, officials said Friday.

The bolstered law enforcement presence comes after an American airstrike on Thursday killed Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, triggering global concern about dangerous consequences of the attack.

Additional resources have been deployed to “key locations” throughout San Francisco, according to the police department. Authorities are monitoring the situation and communicating with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

“At this time we do not have any credible threats,” San Francisco police said in a statement. “We ask that if you see something, please say something. Call 911 or notify a police officer if you see something suspicious.”

San Francisco joins other cities across the Bay Area, California and the country that upped security Friday.

Oakland Police Department’s Intelligence Unit is in communication with local, state and national law enforcement agencies, police said.

“The Oakland Police Department will continue to monitor the situation,” police said in a statement. “Security checks in key areas of the city will continue. At this time there are no known threats.”

Police in San Jose said they are monitoring the situation and working with state and federal partners, but have not increased patrols.

The Los Angeles Police Department said Thursday night that it was monitoring events developing in Iran and was committed to ensuring the safety of the diverse community.

In a similar statement, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the police had heightened security around New York City but there was no specific or credible threat.

“Everyone should go about their lives unafraid,” de Blasio said.

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