MID-HUDSON – Police agencies around the region and the country have increased patrols in and around religious institutions as bombing of Iran by the US and Israel intensifies.

Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta says they are concentrating on specific areas.

“We collaborate with the State Police on a lot of the different ones especially in the different areas such as Kiryas Joel, to make sure they get a little more attention during this time so that we can protect all of out community members,” he said.

Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa said they, too, have beefed up patrols.

“We’re lucky in a way since we are such a sprawled out county, but we still have to be vigilant to make sure that everyone can go to their houses of worship and not worry about anything happening,” he said.

Figueroa said they have picked up patrols and discussed potential issues with the State Police and other law enforcement in the area.