Please Be Aware
DHS and FBI have issued warnings, cautioning of the heighted potential for threats targeting religious gatherings. As you celebrate Chanukah, please be vigilant and report anything suspicious or concerning immediately to 911 and then to the Jewish Federation using the Incident Report Form, below. Warnings include calls for violence, swatting, cyber-crime, and antisemitic activity.
Incidents of antisemitic graffiti are continuing to increase. We are working with law enforcement on this matter. Please report this graffiti to 911 and provide as many details as you can, then notify us via the Incident Report Form.
On December 6th, a number of Jewish facilities in several states received bomb threats via email. The email makes a specific bomb threat against “every synagogue” in the state of Minnesota. Facilities outside of Minnesota have received this email, but the threat only relates to synagogues in Minnesota. Read more at SITUATION REPORT: Bomb Threat Targeting Minnesota Synagogues Emailed to Jewish Facilities Nationwide (Secure Community Network).
PCCD security grant awards to be announced on December 13th.
In Pittsburgh, YTD the Jewish Federation has logged 280 incidents in our Virtual Command Center, this compares to 122 incidents for the entire year of 2022. We remain in a heightened threat environment and are working closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity. There are no known or direct threats related to our Pittsburgh Jewish community. Continue to be vigilant; report suspicious behavior to 911 and then the Jewish Federation via the Incident Report.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Shots fired at Temple Israel in Albany, Hochul says (spectrumlocalnews.com)
- Michael Nicholoulias, 74, charged with making antisemitic graffiti in Montauk – Newsday
- DHS Releases Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities | Homeland Security
- FBI sees 60 percent jump in hate crime cases since Israel-Hamas war | The Hill
- 15 New York synagogues hit with false bomb threats on Friday – Jewish Telegraphic Agency (jta.org)
- Three teens arrested for series of attacks on Jewish people in Brooklyn (fox5ny.com)
BluePoint Status
As we are back-to-school, please review your current contact lists in BluePoint. If changes are needed, please contact Erin Fagan at [email protected].
Our BluePoint training video and refresher video are available on YouTube. These are useful for new staff or as a reminder for existing staff.
Security Resources and/or Training
Navigating Digital Threats: Strategies to Prevent Online Child Exploitation
Ahead of the next school year, please join the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse for a virtual training on preventing and responding to online child exploitation in K-12 communities. This session will feature a panel discussion with experts from the U.S. Department of Justice and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, who will share valuable tools and resources to combat online child exploitation and educate teachers, students and families.
De-Escalation Training
Please contact Erin Fagan at [email protected] or 412-992-5252 to schedule this training.
Situational Awareness, Active Threat, and Usher/Greeter Training
If you or your organization have not yet had these training modules, please contact Erin Fagan at [email protected] or 412-992-5252. All can be made available in person or via Zoom.
If you need more Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts contact Erin Fagan at [email protected] or 412-992-5252.
