Page 62 - Security Today, March 2019

Addressing Heightened Threats
With preparedness and vigilance, American Jewish community works on additional security
BOy Michael Masters
ver the last several years, the United States has aver- aged one active shooter incident every two weeks. On the morning of Oct. 27, one such incident shattered the calm of a quiet Saturday morning in Pittsburgh, Pa. On that morning, an individual armed with
an assault rifle entered a Jewish house of worship, the Tree of Life Congregation, and opened fire on congregants gathered for Satur- day morning prayer—killing 11 and wounding seven, including four responding police officers.
The attack on a Jewish institution comes amidst unprecedented year-over-year increases in anti-Semitic incidents and hate crimes di- rected against the Jewish community in North America. The offender in the Pittsburgh incident had made numerous anti-Semitic postings on social media prior to his attack.
Just two weeks after the events of Pittsburgh, federal law enforce- ment announced the arrest in Toledo, Ohio, of an individual associ- ated with the so-called Islamic State who was allegedly planning an attack on a synagogue in the area. He planned to use assault rifles and specifically referenced being inspired by the attack in Pittsburgh. More recently, a person in Washington state, who espoused anti-Se- mitic views, was arrested after making similar threats to carry out a mass attack targeting the Jewish community.
While some view the threats as new, the reality is that the Jewish community has been facing these issues and proactively working to address them for years. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, and acknowl- edging a growing threat against the community, the leadership of the American Jewish community recognized the need for a group of pro-
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fessionals with backgrounds in homeland security, law enforcement, intelligence, the military and national security to focus exclusively on safety and security matters.
Since 2003, the Secure Community Network (SCN) has met that need as the official homeland security and safety initiative of the or- ganized Jewish community in North America.
Serving 147 Jewish Federations, 50 partner organizations and over 300 independent communities, SCN provides timely, credible threat and incident information to both law enforcement and community partners, serves as the community’s formal liaison with federal law enforcement and coordinates closely with state and local law enforce- ment partners. SCN works with communities and partners across North America to develop and implement strategic frameworks that enhance the safety and security of the Jewish people, developing best practice policies and procedures, undertaking threat and vulnerabil- ity assessments, coordinating training and education, offering con- sultation on safety and security matters and providing crisis manage- ment support during critical incidents.
Recognized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a best practice example of how a faith-based community can work to address safety and security, SCN’s efforts over the past 15 years have been devoted to ensuring that Jewish organizations, communities, life and culture can not only exist, but flourish. At the same time, SCN has worked to support and assist other faith-based organizations and communities that have faced similar threats. If our experience can be used in partnership with other communities of faith to enhance their safety, we are duty-bound to work together.
ACTIVE SHOOTER
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