BHPD Chief Sandra Spagnoli (photo by Edwin Folven)

On Dec. 31, Beverly Hills Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli issued a statement on the Beverly Hills Police Department’s response to a series of recent attacks at religious sites in Beverly Hills and across the United States.

“Since last week’s troubling incidents that occurred in New York at a rabbi’s home, the Texas shooting at a church and the recent horrific vandalism at the Beverly Hills Nessah Synagogue, I wanted to let you know we stand with our city leadership to state that your safety and security remain our highest priority,” Spagnoli said. “The Beverly Hills Police Department has directed significant resources to enhancing security at all of our religious institutions and schools. This includes conducting high visibility patrols, security checks and foot patrols. We also offer security assessments and safety training to mitigate threats and provide situational awareness as part of our crime prevention efforts.

“In addition, the Beverly Hills Police Department Intelligence Unit has remained in close contact with our federal and community partners, including the ADL and Jewish Federation-Los Angeles, to stay connected and respond appropriately when there is a threat. We are committed to continue to work closely with our faith-based institutions on crime prevention, security assessments and safety.

“As demonstrated in our comprehensive police response to the Nessah Synagogue hate crime, we stand with our community in solidarity, to protect and serve, and commit to keeping Beverly Hills a safe place to live, work and worship. As your police chief, I am so proud of the police department’s collective response, tenacity and relentless efforts to bring this suspect to justice.

“We strongly encourage the reporting of any suspicious activity directly to 911 [or to] our non-emergency line at (310)550-4951, or text TIP BEVHILLSPD and your anonymous message to 888-777. Please contact Sgt. Matt Stout for questions related to a security assessment or training at (310)285-2192.

“Together we are stronger and will continue to keep Beverly Hills safe,” Spagnoli said.

For information, visit beverlyhills.org/departments/policedepartment.