Please Be Aware
On December 3, protesters disrupted a private Israeli Consulate event held at LA’s Wilshire Boulevard Temple. The protestors had registered to attend and once inside disrupted the event by yelling antisemitic slurs at attendees and damaging Temple property. Israeli Consulate security was able to push them out. Protestors had planned in advance to do this and CSI LA, as well as LAPD, were aware and prepared but despite vetting the list, some protestors still made it into the crowd. See articles below for more details.
Elijah Alexander King, a California man has been charged federally with making violent threats against synagogues via social media. In late August, King posted on social media, “I’m gonna blow up every synagogue in a 20-mile radius” and “This is a real threat send the police and report me for terrorism” among other threats. King was arrested on November 6 and faces up to at least 15 years in prison if convicted. Read more at SCN Applauds Federal Law Enforcement After California Man Indicted Following Violent Online Threats Targeting Synagogues.
We are hosting an online PCCD Security Grant Workshop on Tuesday, December 16 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Learn best practices to secure this grant funding to include budgeting, narrative writing and implementation. Please RSVP to efagan@jfedpgh.org if you are planning to attend. Learn more at jewishpgh.org/event/pccd-security-grant-workshop.
Local intelligence partners just released a bulletin titled “Heightened Threat of Violence from Terrorism Actors Throughout Winter Holidays,” anticipating the risk of lone actors targeting large events and mass gatherings during the holiday season. Please continue to report suspicious activity to 911 and then to us via our Incident Report Form.
So far in 2025, we have logged 295 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 283 for 2024 and a total of 300 for all of 2023. We continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity. Please continue to report any suspicious incidents via the Incident Report Form.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Incoming mayor’s top cop pick is a familiar face to Jewish Pittsburghers (jewishchronicle.com)
- 2 arrested after pro-Palestinian protest disrupts event on LA synagogue campus (jewishchronicle.com)
- Los Angeles synagogue vandalized during protest, LAPD says (cbsnews.com)
- Security app Go Vigilant launches (jewishchronicle.com)
- Jewish groups decry two years probation for man who attacked Jewish students in Chicago (jns.org)
BluePoint Status
BluePoint is now live in 34 of the 36 locations. Police boxes have been installed at 29 of our organizations, enabling law enforcement to have immediate access in an emergency.
Security Resources and/or Training
FY2025 NSGP Award Implementation Guidance
Please join the Secure Community Network (SCN) and subject matter experts as we review the post-award Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) implementation process, including completing the Environmental and Historic Preservation Form (EHP). Speakers Craig Issod Non-Profit Consultant Helium Ventures Debbi Gottlieb Director of Grants Management Secure Community Network
In the event of an emergency, please be aware that we have adopted the Standard Response Protocol to best communicate across communities and emergency response teams.
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If you need Go Bags, Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts or medical supplies contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252.
