Please Be Aware
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement this week regarding potential changes to the threat environment following President Trumps press conference on its posture in the Gaza region. Spontaneous protests targeting Jewish community may occur. Please continue to report any suspicious activity to us. Please see article below and see SCN bulletin here: SCN BULLETIN: Threat of Protests Directed Against the Jewish Community After POTUS’ Press Conference.
President Trump signed an executive order outlining a broad, federal crackdown on antisemitism, especially on college campuses. The new policy directs federal officials to use “all available and appropriate legal tools to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful antisemitic harassment and violence.” It also directs all federal agency heads to come up with new means to combat antisemitism within 60 days. A copy of the fact sheet with more details is here: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Forceful and Unprecedented Steps to Combat Antisemitism – The White House
Last week, our Security Team met with our South Hills Rabbis and synagogue leaders and local police chiefs from Mt. Lebanon Police, Scott Township Police, and Upper St. Clair Police to discuss the current threat landscape and preventative measures.
So far in 2025, we have logged 24 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 17 for 2024. We continue to collaborate 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
- Federation’s community security director provides annual security assessment (jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com)
- US forms task force to battle antisemitism focusing on schools, campuses (Reuters.com)
- Trump: US will ‘take over’ Gaza, ‘own’ it, develop it, then make it an ‘international’ area (jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com)
- Neo-Nazi leader found guilty of plotting attack on Maryland power grid (CBSnews.com)
BluePoint Status
BluePoint installation is nearly complete at Kollel and Aleph, Shaare Torah and Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. 26 of our organizations are online with BluePoint, with six more coming online by April 1, 2025. Police boxes have all been installed at 16 of our organizations.
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
First Quarter Faith-Based Security and Resilience Learning Series
The Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security and partners cordially invite you to attend the first quarterly event of our virtual learning series for faith-based organizations on Monday, March 24, 2025. In this first segment of our series, we will be hearing from Mr. Magnus Hakonsen, a survivor of the deadliest mass shooting in Norway's history. On July 22, 2011, Mr. Hakonsen was attending a political youth camp on the island of Utoya when a lone gunman attacked, killing 69 people and injuring 3...
Advanced Community Active Threat Training (CATT)
Pittsburgh, 15213 + Google Map
This event has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience. Feel empowered on campus with this class that teaches: The mind of the active shooter-predator vs. prey Situational awareness and survival mindset Basic self-defense techniques and weapons awareness and disarming techniques Reality based training Led by Dave Wright from Wrights Gym. Geared for college students but open to everyone. MADE POSSIBLE BY LEE AND LISA OLEINICK.
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.
