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David Aul was arrested for allegedly smashing a storefront window on the South Side. There is an Israeli flag hanging right above where the window was smashed, and the store owner reports he has experienced previous harassment due to displaying the flag. Aul had previously been arrested in 2022 for harassing members of the Pittsburgh Jewish community in Squirrel Hill.

Pittsburgh City Council is proposing a referendum that the City cannot discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, or association with foreign nations when it conducts business. This is in response to the proposed anti-Israel referendum led by a pro-Palestinian group that seeks to have the city stop doing business with companies tied to Israel.

We are closely monitoring the proposed three-phase Israeli-Hamas cease-fire hostage exchange deal, and its potential implications here in the US, regionally and locally.

Jack D. Molloy, indicted last week for lying to the FBI and supporting terrorism, had his arraignment in federal court this week. Molloy waived his detention hearing with the option of filing a motion for release at a later date. In the interim, Molloy remains detained. We will keep you posted on any changes.

We remain in a heightened threat environment, especially after DHS and FBI issued a Joint Intelligence Bulletin yesterday that cautions of the possibility of copycat ISIS-inspired attacks after the vehicle ramming attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. We continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity.

Federal law enforcement and intelligence partners assess that the Jewish community is currently facing an elevated threat landscape during this holiday season, specifically regarding the use of large public gatherings as soft targets, protest and boycott action plans and cyber threats. Please remain situationally aware and have a personal security plan in place. If you need guidance on that, please contact us.

Federal law enforcement and intelligence partners assess that the Jewish community is currently facing an elevated threat landscape during this holiday season, specifically regarding the use of large public gatherings as soft targets.

The FBI Pittsburgh Division has created a program to help emphasizing the importance of protecting children online called Online Safety Starts With You.

Last weekend we had numerous reports of targeted, antisemitic flyering and stickering in the Squirrel Hill, Bloomfield and North Shore areas in what appears to be a coordinated effort Saturday night into Sunday morning. We are actively working with law enforcement on this.

The federal hate crime arrests from the July 29th graffiti at the Jewish Federation and Chabad of Squirrel Hill underscores the importance of video surveillance cameras as an investigative tool and their use in identifying perpetrators and vehicles. Please continue to report any suspicious incidents via the Incident Report Form.