‘High alert’ in Philly, but ‘no threat’ yet

Local authorities are on high alert at mosques, synagogues and major transit hubs, watching out for potential retaliatory violence in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death.

Philadelphia and SEPTA police both stepped up patrols to discourage any attacks. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who was Washington D.C.’s police chief during the 9/11 attacks, instituted hourly patrols at mosques and synagogues until further notice, though no incidents were reported.

“We’ve been in contact with a lot of people about security, but there’s been no threat toward Philadelphia or anywhere else that I’m aware of. But obviously we need to take precautions,” Ramsey told reporters. While Ramsey called it a “high alert,” he noted that “people should go about their normal business.”

Moein Khawaja of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Philadelphia said a mosque in Maine was reportedly spray painted, but there have been no incidents locally.