OAN report falsely links Brooklyn Muslim patrol group to Sharia law enforcement?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @didier_neza

An OAN report relies on police-styled vehicle designs and unrelated UK incidents to falsely suggest a Brooklyn volunteer patrol enforces Sharia law. While the Muslim Community Patrol Services in Brooklyn did launch in 2019 using Ford Taurus vehicles styled similarly to NYPD cruisers, it was an unarmed civilian neighborhood watch with no legal authority or police powers. Reporting by Snopes, The New York Times, and The Independent confirmed the group functioned like Brooklyn's Hasidic Shomrim patrol, serving as a community safety liaison without any role or intent to enforce Islamic law.

6 claims checked
3 sources
Checked 8 Nov 2026
Main source: Muslim patrol group in New York faces backlash including far-right conspiracy theories | The Independent | The Independent

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The Reel we checked

@didier_neza

Muslim community patrols in New York began operating in Brooklyn in 2019, driving cars that look identical to NYPD vehicles and dressing like police officers.…

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Red flags

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MCPS vehicles used decals, colors, and lights closely resembling NYPD squad cars, creating public confusion about official police endorsement.

“This is not an NYPD vehicle. The NYPD did not outfit or label this vehicle. This group is not officially sanctioned by the NYPD and they are subject to the law.” Does a Muslim Community Patrol in New York City Enforce 'Sharia Law'? | Snopes, 2019-01-13

What we checked

Muslim Community Patrols began operating in Brooklyn in 2019.“Mr Ali is among the first 30 members of the all-volunteer Muslim Community Patrol & Services that is preparing to operate in neighbourhoods in Brooklyn”Muslim patrol group in New York faces backlash including far-right conspiracy theories | The Independent | The Independent

CAIR stated that the Muslim Community Patrol in Brooklyn was the first of its kind in the United States.“Mr Ali is among the first 30 members of the all-volunteer Muslim Community Patrol & Services that is preparing to operate in neighbourhoods in Brooklyn”Muslim patrol group in New York faces backlash including far-right conspiracy theories | The Independent | The Independent

There were 14 biased incidents reported against New York Muslims in 2017.“Mr Ali is among the first 30 members of the all-volunteer Muslim Community Patrol & Services that is preparing to operate in neighbourhoods in Brooklyn”Muslim patrol group in New York faces backlash including far-right conspiracy theories | The Independent | The Independent

Muslim Community Patrol vice president Noor Rabah stated the group had 30 members.“Rabah said the group had around 30 regular members”Does a Muslim Community Patrol in New York City Enforce 'Sharia Law'? | Snopes

Muslim Community Patrol vehicles in NYC resemble NYPD police cars.“With its red and white emergency lights, blue stripes and shield, the Ford Taurus resembles a police squad car.”New York Muslim community patrol to promote unity and understanding | The National

Over 8.6 million people live in New York City.No reliable source found for this yet.

What we couldn't check

We couldn't find the full original video, so we can't say what was said just before or after this clip.

Our read of the video

Real news broadcast footage from One America News (OAN) showing Brooklyn patrol vehicles and news clips.

An AI assessment from the footage alone; watch the video and judge for yourself.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

The report leaves out that MCPS is an unarmed volunteer neighborhood watch similar to long-standing Jewish (Shomrim) and Asian (BASP) patrols in Brooklyn, with no authority or intent to enforce Sharia law or harass residents.
MCPS Vice President Noor Rabah stated the group is a civilian neighborhood watch aimed at protecting residents, assisting near mosques and schools, and alerting police to suspicious activity, explicitly denying any enforcement of Sharia law (The National, Snopes).
NYPD officials noted that MCPS vehicles are not officially sanctioned by the department and members have no arrest powers, but NYPD officers trained volunteers and borough officials endorsed community patrol groups (Snopes, The Independent, TRT World).

How it plays you

It wants you to think: “Muslim Community Patrols in New York City represent a form of Sharia law enforcement that poses a threat of harassment to non-Muslim residents.”

The assertion that MCPS enforces Sharia law or exists to harass residents does not follow from their use of police-styled vehicles. Fact-checkers and reporting established that MCPS is an unarmed civilian neighborhood watch with no enforcement authority or intent to police religious practices.

Short version

🔀 DOESN'T FOLLOW 👉 A Brooklyn volunteer patrol was an unarmed neighborhood watch with no legal authority, not a group enforcing Sharia law. 👉 Snopes, The New York Times, and The Independent confirmed the Muslim Community Patrol Services functioned as a safety liaison like the Hasidic Shomrim. 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat