Please Be Aware
This week we saw two attacks on Jewish spaces that reiterate the ongoing need for physical security enhancements at our Jewish organizations. The first incident occurred on May 25th in Toronto in which two gunmen fired shots at a Jewish school, fortunately no one was injured (see article below). The second incident occurred on May 29th in Brooklyn, NY in which a man conducted a vehicular assault at a Jewish School, targeting pedestrians while yelling antisemitic slurs. There were no bollards in place, but fortunately no one was injured. The suspect was arrested based on a neighbor’s video footage of the incident (see article below).
The FBI and DHS have issued a Public Service Announcement (PSA) warning that foreign terrorist organizations and their supporters may target the LGBTQIA+ community during the month of June as it is Pride month. There will be numerous events coming up in the next several weeks so please use situational awareness and report suspicious activity to 911 immediately.
With the uptick in graffiti and antisemitic incidents 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 (this is how the Brooklyn suspect mentioned above was caught). The program is entirely voluntary and is designed to keep our community safe through collaboration. More information can be found on the Virtual Block Watch webpage.
YTD 2024, the Jewish Federation has logged 135 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 48 YTD 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 below link.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Watch: Gunmen Open Fire on Chabad Jewish Girls School Shabbos Morning (vinnews.com)
- Brooklyn yeshiva hate crime: Driver arrested, charged after driving onto sidewalk in East Flatbush (abc7ny.com)
- California man, who allegedly said ‘I’m going to kill the Jews,’ faces 10 years in prison (jns.org)
- Cost of protests at City College tops $3M: CUNY officials (audacy.com)
- Elmhurst Teens Charged With Swastika Vandalism: Cops (patch.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
Empowered Citizenship: Understanding Hate Speech and Crimes
Pittsburgh, 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
High 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
High 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®
High 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®
High 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)
High 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)
High 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
High 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
The 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...
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.
