Following a deadly mass shooting at a Pennsylvania synagogue on Saturday, authorities in New York City announced they would be increasing armed patrols near the city’s houses of worship and Jewish communities.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, authorities are expected to consider hate crime charges against suspect Robert Bowers.

Though no immediate evidence linked that mass shooting to New York synagogues or Jewish communities, police in the nation’s most populous city said they were not taking any chances.

“The NYPD is deploying heavy weapons teams, including the officers from the Critical Response Command and the Strategic Response Team, to houses of worship across the city,” a department statement released Saturday said.

According to the New York Post, New York police acknowledged the move was merely precautionary.

“Currently, there is no nexus to New York,” the agency explained. “But these steps are being taken until further information is learned about the events in Pittsburgh by the NYPD.”

As WABC reported, Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed state police will also provide additional patrolling of New York’s Jewish centers.

Police in New York City urge anyone with information about suspicious activity in the city to contact authorities by calling 888-NYC-SAFE.

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