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Security stepped up at metro Atlanta synagogues after Pittsburgh shooting

The only visible change to security outside The Temple in midtown Atlanta was the presence of additional Atlanta police on Peachtree Street.
Atlanta Police sitting outside The Temple in midtown Atlanta on Sat., Oct. 27, 2018.

ATLANTA -- After a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday morning, patrols have been stepped up around synagogues in the Atlanta area, according to police.

"The Atlanta Police Department is aware of the incident that occurred in Pittsburgh," said Atlanta Police Officer Stephanie Brown in an email to 11Alive News. "Zone 5 officers are providing additional patrols at Atlanta Synagogues. At this time we have not received or been made aware of any threats."

Eleven people were killed in a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill community Saturday morning. Six others were injured, including four officers.

Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple in Atlanta said he received countless calls and emails from religious leaders asking how they can help.

RELATED | Suspect in custody after deadly Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

"In Atlanta, there's a sense of brotherhood to make sure this doesn't happen anymore," he said.

Rabbi Steven Lebow of Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta learned what happened right after he was done with Saturday morning services.

"I'm shattered and I am tremendously saddened by it," he said. "There were people sitting there they were defenseless they were praying they were listening to the Bible in the word of God."

He said every synagogue in Atlanta has armed security on its staff, but APD is stepping up to add more.

Outside The Temple in midtown Atlanta sat two officers in their police cruiser.

Atlanta Police sitting outside The Temple in midtown Atlanta on Sat., Oct. 27, 2018.

The FBI says they are also aware of the ongoing situation, but are not aware of any threat in the metro Atlanta area.

"We're aware of the situation but at this time there is no indication of a specific threat here. Of course, we would ask the public if they see something suspicious indicating a threat of any kind, we urge them to report it to law enforcement authorities," said Kevin Rowson of the FBI's Atlanta office.

Officials with the Atlanta Jewish Federation released a statement early Saturday afternoon.

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"We are deeply distressed and saddened by the breaking news about the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh," the statement said. "In light of this morning's situation, security has already been heightened in the Atlanta community."

Temple Kol Emeth has a grant from Homeland Security to harden their security and now they are thinking about doing that. Rabbi Lebow said it's not out of fear.

"My messages, don't be afraid. God is with us," he said.

The shooting suspect in the Pittsburgh attack, Robert Bowers, was taken into custody.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued a statement about the Pittsburgh shooting, calling the attack senseless.

"As a city and a nation, we are better and stronger than hate," the statement reads.

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