Tallahassee local law enforcement bolsters security

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Local law enforcement in Tallahassee are providing extra patrols Friday due to the recent events of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“There is no estimate on how many additional officers we are able to provide,” said Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson Heather Merrit. “But as calls for service allow, we will be providing extra patrols through marked and unmarked units; focusing on critical infrastructures, schools and places of worship.”

Leon County Sheriff’s Office says they are bolstering their law enforcement “in areas of heightened concern and promptly addressing requests from local churches and synagogues to ensure their safety and wellbeing.”

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Tallahassee region is also working with local law enforcement and Florida’s Regional Domestic Security Task Forces to support public safety, per FDLE.

Florida’s Fusion Center, located in Tallahassee, is at a partial activation to monitor Florida, national, and world events, according to FDLE.

FDLE’s Capitol Police continues to monitor intelligence and remains ready to respond in an emergency, per the FDLE statement. “Law enforcement analysts are reviewing all information regarding suspicious activity,” FDLE says “and monitoring events to provide an overall awareness to law enforcement throughout Florida.”

As of Friday, Oct. 13, Palestinians fled from northern Gaza after Israel’s military told 1 million people to evacuate south of their territory due to “an expected ground invasion against the ruling Hamas militant group,” according to the Associated Press.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Thursday, authorizing the Florida Division of Emergency Management to bring Floridians out of Israel by transporting necessary supplies to Israel.

At Florida State University on Wednesday, students in support of both Israel and Palestine held a protest following rising conflict between both sides of the demonstration. An email from FSU President Richard McCullough reportedly shared his support for Israel, which prompted pro-Palestinian students to protest.

This is a developing story. Stay with WCTV as we continue to learn more information.

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