NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Law enforcement agencies across South Florida increased security at synagogues Thursday after authorities said a man armed with a rifle rammed his vehicle into a major synagogue in a Detroit suburb before he was fatally shot by security.

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Officials said there was no known threat to South Florida, but police departments across the region said they were taking precautionary steps and increasing patrols around Jewish institutions.

“We activate our high risk protocols. We’ve done that now. Our Jewish institutions, Jewish neighborhoods are well protected,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.

Meiner said security in the area had already been heightened amid tensions tied to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

“Well, there’s an ongoing war that the United States and Israel are conducting against Iran, a just war, a war that’s really that Iran started 47 years ago against the U.S. and Israel, but the war is also the war of words,” Meiner said.

“The rhetoric, the far left, the far right, the anti-Semitism, the lies that are constantly said — I read it and see it every single day against the Jewish people, against the state of Israel, against the United States of America has to stop," he added.

After Thursday’s attack in Detroit, local law enforcement agencies said they were increasing vigilance.

Miami Beach police said on social media that officers would increase their presence following the synagogue incident in Michigan.

The Aventura Police Department also said it was closely monitoring the situation.

“Out of an abundance of caution we’ve increased patrols around religious institutions throughout our city,” the agency said in a statement.

Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest also sent a message to congregants saying leaders were closely following reports of the incident.

“Our hearts are with that community and we pray for the safety and well-being of everyone there,” the message said. “The safety of the congregation is always our highest priority.”

In Broward County, the Jewish Federation said it remained in contact with security partners as details continued to develop.

“While details are still developing, we remain in close contact with our security partners and continue prioritizing the safety of our Jewish institutions here in Broward County,” the organization said.

Residents in the community said they welcomed the increased police presence and urged people to stay vigilant.

“We should definitely all be on alert, even in our own neighborhoods,” said North Miami Beach resident Holly Davis. “We should be reporting anything that seems unusual at all.”

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