Please Be Aware
The FBI recently released its 2023 Active Shooter Report, found on this site. 2023 saw 48 active shooter incidents compared to 50 in 2022. Location categories included: open space (28), commerce (14), education (3), health care (2), and residence (1). For the first time in a while, there were no active shooter incidents in houses of worship.
Through state grant funding, we will now be able to install the BluePoint Emergency Alert System in 13 more Jewish locations. The installation will take several months to complete. When finalized, there will be 33 Jewish locations online with BluePoint.
With the uptick in graffiti and antisemitic incidents please consider joining the Jewish Federation’s Virtual Block Watch Program. The program is entirely voluntary and is designed to keep our community safe through collaboration. More information can be found on our Virtual Block Watch page.
YTD 2024, the Jewish Federation has logged 158 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 102 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 Incident Report Form.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- NYC Jewish family pummeled at 5th-grade commencement by attendees shouting ‘Free Palestine,’ mom says (nypost.com)
- Kids head to camp from home with more on their minds, post-Oct. 7 (JNS.org)
- Boise man with white supremacy ties enters guilty plea in power grid attack plot (kivitv.com)
- Anti-Israel protester who told ‘Zionists’ to ID themselves on NYC subway arrested, revealed to be research tech Anas Saleh (nypost.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
PCCD Grant Workshop
Thursday, August 13 @ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EDTPittsburgh, PA 15219 United States + Google Map
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Security team invites nonprofits and faith communities to a workshop on applying for the FY27 the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) Nonprofit Security Grant Fund. This grant supports organizations serving individuals at risk of hate crimes. We’ll cover grant guidelines, security assessments, threat documentation, budgeting, narrative writing and implementation.
Guardian: Identify. Protect. Respond.
Tuesday, August 18 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTGuardians take personal responsibility for the safety and security of themselves, their families and their communities. Learn the skillsets that help you identify, protect and respond to all hazards and become an Active Bystander in your community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series, de...
Guardian: Identify. Protect. Respond.
Tuesday, August 18 @ 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM EDTGuardians take personal responsibility for the safety and security of themselves, their families and their communities. Learn the skillsets that help you identify, protect and respond to all hazards and become an Active Bystander in your community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webinar Series, de...
Welcoming, Inclusive & Prepared
Tuesday, August 25 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTThis session addresses critical emergency preparedness considerations for all congregants, with a focus on elderly attendees, individuals with mobility challenges, families with children, neurodiverse members and caregivers. The program features experts who implemented a practical, inclusive model, offering lessons and best practices for easy adoption in your own community. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and p...
Power of Hello Training
Tuesday, September 1 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTThe Power of Hello training equips you with the knowledge and skills to observe and evaluate suspicious behaviors. It empowers you to mitigate potential risk by knowing when to seek additional help. When used effectively, the right words can be a powerful tool. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webin...
Power of Hello Training
Tuesday, September 1 @ 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM EDTThe Power of Hello training equips you with the knowledge and skills to observe and evaluate suspicious behaviors. It empowers you to mitigate potential risk by knowing when to seek additional help. When used effectively, the right words can be a powerful tool. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) is pleased to announce our 2026 High Holidays Safety and Security Webin...
Ensuring Readiness, Security and Empowerment for the High Holidays
Thursday, September 3 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDTIs your community ready for the High Holidays? Securing Our Space offers practical guidance to strengthen both physical security and personal preparedness. Learn how to implement layered security measures, keep your emergency supplies accessible and empower your community to respond confidently and effectively during an incident. As we approach the High Holidays, proactive planning is essential to ensuring our communities remain safe, welcoming, and prepared. The Secure Community Network (SCN) i...
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.