San Diego Area Mosques Tighten Security After Arson Sunday

San Diego Area Mosques Tighten Security After Arson Sunday

San Diego’s mosques have tightened security following an arson attack at a mosque in Escondido, Calif., early Sunday morning.

San Diego’s mosques have tightened security following an arson attack at a mosque in Escondido, Calif., early Sunday morning.

The Islamic Center of Escondido was set on fire at about 3 a.m. Sunday, but a group of worshippers inside were able to put out the fire before it could cause any significant damage. When authorities arrived, they found graffiti referencing the recent shootings at New Zealand mosques.

On Monday afternoon, there were two San Diego Police Department patrol cars in the parking lot of the Islamic Center of San Diego. Directors said worshippers are nervous about security threats.

"They accept the faith of what happened, others are very, you know, worried as well. It's a mixed mood," said Khelil Ouznali, vice chair of the board of directors.

The Islamic Center already has surveillance cameras in place and guards on duty, but directors are now considering hiring armed guards to patrol.

"We are looking into improving security, you know, we are looking into different options based on the feedback from our community," Ouznali said.

Dustin Craun, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), told CBS8 that with the increased threat lately to the Muslim community, each mosque is taking its own security into consideration.

“Most of the mosques have some security and or apparatus in place and they might be stepping it up a little – but those are different conversations at the mosques,” Craun said.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.