Please Be Aware
UPDATE: William Murray was arrested yesterday for Ethnic Intimidation relating to the alleged hate symbol he drew at the entrance of Shaare Torah as well as “possession of explosive or incendiary materials, causing or risking catastrophe, and multiple counts of making or possessing prohibited weapons.” Murray faces 34 total charges in relation to having these chemicals. He had been charged for Ethnic Intimidation weeks ago but failed to appear in court. At this time, we do not have reason to believe he poses a threat to our community. See article below for more information.
With the uptick in graffiti – such as the graffiti covering Blue Slide Park this week – stolen yard signs, and antisemitic activity, please consider joining the Jewish Federation’s Virtual Block Watch Program, a volunteer network that can be called upon to provide residential or business video surveillance footage to help prevent, deter, and possibly solve crimes. The program is entirely voluntary and is designed to keep our community safe through collaboration. For more information visit jewishpgh.org/info/virtual-block-watch.
Year to date in 2024, the Jewish Federation has logged 128 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 44 for the same period in 2023. We remain in a heightened threat environment and are working closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity. Please continue to report any suspicious incidents to us using the Incident Report form.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Man arrested for allegedly posting hate symbols on Pittsburgh synagogue now facing charges related to bomb making – CBS Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)
- Popular NYC kosher restaurant has window smashed by vandals (nypost.com)
- Palm Beach County moves to rein in hate speech following Neo-Nazi rant (palmbeachpost.com)
- Jewish community rallies to help New Orleans City Council staffer targeted in hate crime (fox8live.com)
BluePoint Status
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
Online Safety & Digital Responsibility
Pittsburgh, PA 15217 United States + Google Map
Open to the Public The Jewish Federation is hosting an evening of discussion about cybersecurity awareness for younger students and their families with Felicia Trovato, Community Outreach Specialist, FBI Pittsburgh. Join a discussion with FBI Pittsburgh about online safety for students in grades 5 through 9. Registration is required. Topics Covered Online Safety & Situation Awareness Cyberbullying Awareness Trusted Adults & Seeking Help Digital Footprint & Permanence Text Message Et...
Emergency Preparedness Webinar
"If it is predictable, it is preventable." ~Gordan Graham Hazards, both manmade and natural, are a concern for all organizations. Establishing an All-Hazards Plan will not only assist in preventing many known threats, it will also provide a roadmap to mitigate these hazards. Continuity of Business Plans are the next step and crucial to direct how to move forward and restore your organization. This Webinar prepares organizations to handle emergencies by building All-Hazards and Continuity of...
Guardian Training
Please contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252 to schedule this training.
Situational Awareness, Active Threat, and De-Escalation 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.
Request Training for Your Organization →
If you need more Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252.
