Please Be Aware
On Wednesday afternoon, Hardy Lloyd was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison with 3 years of supervised release based on his guilty plea on Sept 19, 2023, for obstruction of justice related to his tampering with witnesses and jurors during the synagogue shooter trial.
FBI and DHS released a public service announcement (PSA) regarding potential threats during the upcoming holiday season. Read the announcement on ic3.gov.
More than 30 of the 56 FBI field offices (to include FBI Pittsburgh) are investigating the hoax bomb threats and are pursuing those responsible for violations of multiple federal laws. Based on similar language and specific email tradecraft used, it appears the perpetrators of these threats are connected. Additionally, these threats appear to be originating from outside of the US. To date, none of these email threats have involved any actual explosive devices or credible risk of harm to congregants.
SCN has tracked more than 449 swatting incidents and bomb threats in 2023 to date, up 541% from 2022 (83 incidents), and compared to a total of 23 between 2019-2021.
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.
In Pittsburgh, year to date, the Jewish Federation has logged 295 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.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- White supremacist Hardy Lloyd to spend 6 ½ years in prison | The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle (jewishchronicle.com)
- Boy guilty of attack plot on Temple Israel Canton Jewish synagogue (cantonrep.com)
- US Jews suffer nearly 200 swatting, false bomb threats on Saturday – The Jerusalem Post (wgrz.com)
- Hutchinson Central Technical High School Incident (wgrz.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 efagan@jfedpgh.org.
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
Empowered Citizenship: Understanding Hate Speech and Crimes
Monday, September 16 @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM EDTPittsburgh, PA 15217 United States + Google Map
What constitutes a hate crime? What happens in a federal investigation? What is local law enforcement’s role? How does the Jewish Federation collaborate with law enforcement? What can you do to be an informed and safe citizen? These questions and more will be addressed by speakers representing various law enforcement agencies in this community safety forum. Our goal is to help community members recognize their rights, responsibilities, and best practices, while giving everyone a more infor...
The Power of Hello
Tuesday, September 17 @ 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EDTHigh Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
The Power of Hello
Tuesday, September 17 @ 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM EDTHigh Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Stop The Bleed®
Wednesday, September 18 @ 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EDTHigh Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Stop The Bleed®
Wednesday, September 18 @ 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM EDTHigh Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Situational Awareness & Countering Active Threat Training (CATT)
Thursday, September 19 @ 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EDTHigh Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Situational Awareness & Countering Active Threat Training (CATT)
Thursday, September 19 @ 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM EDTHigh Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
Combating Emerging Threats
Thursday, September 26 @ 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EDTHigh Holidays Safety & Security Webinar Series Following the terror attacks of October 7th, and amid an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment, please join the Secure Community Network, in partnership with experienced security professionals and law enforcement executives, for our annual webinar series to assist the Jewish community, which is likely to face safety and security challenges this High Holiday season. In addition to informational webinars, two complete series of train...
3rd Quarter Faith-Based Security & Resilience Learning Series
Monday, September 30 @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDTThe Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security and partners cordially invite you to attend the third quarterly event of our virtual learning series on Monday, September 30, 2024. In this segment of our series, we will be conducting a panel discussion between faith leaders who have been the unfortunate victims of gun violence along with public officials who are experts in the field of public safety. Panelists: Rabbi Hazzan Dr. Jeffrey Myers - Tree of Life Synagogue, Pittsburgh PA Surviving the wors...
De-Escalation Training
Please contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org 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 efagan@jfedpgh.org 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 efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252.