Please Be Aware
In a court hearing this morning, The Project for Responsive Democracy (PRD) acknowledged that it’s Not on Our Dime anti-Israel referendum petition, filed on February 18, 2025, lacked enough valid signatures from registered Pittsburgh voters to qualify for the Primary Election ballot. This referendum posed a direct threat on Pittsburgh’s financial stability, jeopardizing Pittsburgh’s ability to provide vital services, to include security. Please read this press release for more information Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and StandWithUs Celebrate the Second Defeat of Anti-Israel Referendum to Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter | Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
An 18-year-old male from Lancaster, CA pled guilty to “interstate transmission of threats”, or in other words – making over 375 hoax bomb threats and swatting calls to religious institutions, schools, universities, government officials, and homes across the US. He has been sentenced to four years in federal prison. While we cannot attribute our Pittsburgh-based incidents to him, hopefully the sentence serves as a deterrent to others who may consider this conduct. Read this article for more information Office of Public Affairs | California Teenager Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Nationwide Swatting Spree | United States Department of Justice.
The Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security is hosting its first quarter virtual learning series for faith-based organizations on Monday, March 24, 2025, 1p-3:30p. The guest speaker is a survivor from Norway’s deadliest mass casualty known as the 2011 Norway Attacks. For more information and to register please go here 1st Qtr Faith-Based Security and Resilience Training.
Please join the Secure Community Network (SCN) and Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) for an update and discussion about the FY2024/2025 Non-Profit Security Grant Program. To register for this webinar please click here SCN FY2025 NSGP Webinar – 13 March.
We are hosting a PCCD Security Grant Workshop on Thursday, March 27th from 6p-7:30 at our Jewish Federation office. Learn the keys to success for obtaining this grant, to include best practices for budgeting, narrative writing, and implementation. Space is limited. Please RSVP by COB March 14th to efagan@jfedpgh.org if you are planning to attend. For more information, please click PCCD State Security Grant Workshop.
So far in 2025, we have logged 56 incidents in our Virtual Command Center. This compares to 41 for 2024. We continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement to monitor potential threat activity. Please continue to report any suspicious incidents to us using this link Incident Report| Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh (jewishpgh.org).
Security Matters in the News This Week
- Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and StandWithUs Celebrate the Second Defeat of Anti-Israel Referendum to Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter (jewishpgh.org)
- Jews targeted in nearly 70% of hate crimes in NYC last month — police (timesofisrael.com)
- Barnard protesters distribute Hamas pamphlets during library takeover (timesofisrael.com)
- Congress must fully fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (jpost.com)
- Office of Public Affairs | California Teenager Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Nationwide Swatting Spree (justice.gov)
BluePoint Status
BluePoint installation at Upstreet is now complete. Charles Morris is scheduled to begin next week. Riverview and Yeshiva Boys installation to follow. BluePoint has now been installed in 30 of the 33 locations. Police boxes have been installed at 16 of our organizations.
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
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.
