Northern Virginia-area police bulk up security in face of potential ISIS threat

by Caroline Vakil - 10/30/21 12:51 PM ET

Police in the Northern Virginia area are bolstering security around Halloween weekend amid a potential threat that could be linked to ISIS, several news outlets reported.

Multiple intelligence and law enforcement sources told ABC News that the threat to shopping centers in the region was linked to intelligence that could be related to ISIS, though an assessment of the information’s credibility was still underway.

“We have no comment. However, we would remind you the FBI takes all potential threats to public safety seriously and we take all appropriate steps to determine the credibility of any information we receive,” the FBI said in a statement in response to inquiries about the news reports.

Law enforcement from several Virginia counties, including Fairfax County, Arlington County, Loudoun County and Prince William County, said they would be increasing their police presence this weekend, though no officials confirmed reports that a possible threat could be linked to ISIS.

On Friday, Fairfax County Police Department Chief Kevin Davis told reporters that “information concerning potential public safety impacts” to shopping centers and malls and that they would be increasing security to shopping malls and plazas, thoroughfares, and transit hubs.

He acknowledged that the information they had was limited but emphasized that they needed to act out of an abundance of caution.

“We receive information, sometimes the information we receive is not with great specificity, but we have to respond to it nonetheless,” Davis said.

The Arlington County Police Department issued a statement on Friday calling it a “non-specific, unconfirmed threat.”

Arlington police said that there was no identified or specific threat to their area but noted they would be ramping up security over the weekend.

MESSAGE FROM THE ARLINGTON COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING POTENTIAL PUBLIC SAFETY THREAT. pic.twitter.com/O9AcOLzy5r

— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) October 29, 2021

Prince William County police said they had not received “any credible information of a threat” but that they too would be increasing security. A similar statement was also issued by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

MESSAGE FROM #PWCPD REGARDING REGIONAL THREATS. If you see something, say something by calling police at 703-792-6500 or 9-1-1 for emergencies; pic.twitter.com/wKxUt34awd

— Prince William County Police Department (@PWCPolice) October 29, 2021

Statement on Information Circulating Regarding Potential Public Safety Impacts to Region: Information is limited & there is nothing specific to #Loudoun. As we work to corroborate w/ our law enforcement partners, LCSO will increase patrols in high-visibility locations. pic.twitter.com/XdLRarIOrY

— Loudoun County Sheriff (@LoudounSheriff) October 29, 2021