New York Police to Increase Patrols During Ramadan

The New York City Police Department will increase foot patrols at mosques during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting that begins in August, as hate crimes against Muslims have increased from last year.

Commissioner Raymond Kelly, speaking today at the department’s annual pre-Ramadan conference at NYPD headquarters in Lower Manhattan, said police would increase patrols and officer visits at mosques. Since 2002, the department has given guidelines to commanders outlining key principles of Islam and activities that take place during the holiday, which starts Aug. 11 and ends Sept. 9.