This is our last newsletter of 2024. Have a safe and happy holiday season! Thank you for your partnership in keeping our community safe.
Please Be Aware
We are continuing to monitor antisemitic and radicalized behavior on college campuses. We have been collaborating with Pitt which has recently created a working group to address antisemitism on/around campus, see the article below. Just this Tuesday, a George Mason University (GMU) 18-year-old student was arrested for a plot to target and kill Jews. This is now the third GMU student arrested within a month for similar conduct, see the article below.
For awareness, there has been an increase in vandalism in the Squirrel Hill area. The Frick Environmental Center was the latest target with $50,000 in damage to the conservancy’s fleet of vehicles. See the article below.
The Faith-Based Information Sharing Organization has released guidance in securing your social media accounts. You can view the guidance here Securing Your Social Media Accounts – FB-ISAO.
Federal law enforcement and intelligence partners assess that the Jewish community is currently facing an elevated threat landscape during this holiday season, specifically regarding the use of large public gatherings as soft targets, protest and boycott action plans and cyber threats. Please remain situationally aware and have a personal security plan in place. If you need guidance on that, please contact us.
Year to date 2024, the Jewish Federation has logged 282 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 295 year to date 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 via the Incident Report Form.
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Vandalism does $50K in damage to Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy vehicles in Frick Park (TribLIVE.com)
- Pitt creates working group to address antisemitism on campus and around Pittsburgh (msn.com)
- George Mason freshman, 18, busted for plotting attack on Israel’s NYC consulate — as he was facing possible deportation (nypost.com)
- Hamas vastly inflated Gaza death statistics, study shows (jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com)
- Pittsburgh man ‘idolized’ anti-Jewish violence, tried to join Hezbollah, Justice Department says (JNS.org)
BluePoint Status
Next week, we will begin installation of BluePoint at Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. We now have 22 of our organizations online with BluePoint.
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
Ensuring Readiness, Security and Empowerment for the High Holidays
Is 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...
A Practical Discussion on Physical Security Improvements
Ask the Security Experts Join Secure Community Network for an interactive conversation about today’s most important physical security challenges. Hear practical recommendations from a nationally recognized security expert and leave with strategies you can put into action. PREPARE • PLAN • STRENGTHEN Speakers Debbie Gottlieb Director of Grants Management Secure Community Network Jeffrey Slotnick Founder & President, Setracon
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 Go Bags, Emergency Safety Procedures Flip Charts or medical supplies contact Erin Fagan at efagan@jfedpgh.org or 412-992-5252.
