Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 8 September 2023

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against, and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

If You See Something, Say Something® Awareness Day | Homeland Security

“Year-round, the “If You See Something, Say Something®” campaign works to empower and educate the public on the importance of recognizing the signs of terrorism-related suspicious activity and how to report it to law enforcement. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated September 25 as “If You See Something, Say Something®” Awareness Day, also known as #SeeSayDay. On this day, DHS and its campaign partners across the country come together to remind the public to be aware of suspicious activity and how to report it to law enforcement.”

Analyst Comment:

The importance of “If You See Something, Say Something®” was shown in August, when students at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida saw something and reported it.to security.

Edward Waters University is a historically Black school, founded in 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. 

NBC News reported “The man had put on a bulletproof vest, gloves and a mask. Alarmed, the students found Bailey, a public safety officer who was making his routine rounds canvasing the campus. 

… 

When the man, later identified as (name deleted by FB-ISAO), 21, saw Bailey in uniform, he sped off, jumping a curb and exiting the campus “at a high rate of speed,” Bailey said.

Getting the man off campus moved the nearly 1,200 students from potential victims to safety.”

Lt. Bailey immediately notified local law enforcement, but tragically, the shooter moved to the less protected Dollar General store and three victims died. If the shooting occurred at a campus, the death toll may have been much higher. See and say likely saved many lives.

A Proclamation on National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, 2023

From the White House:

“Twenty-two years ago — on September 11, 2001 — 2,977 precious lives were stolen from us in attacks of deliberate evil on our Nation.  On the National Days of Prayer and Remembrance, we come together to renew our sacred vow:  Never forget.  Never forget the parents, children, spouses, friends, and loved ones we lost that day.  Never forget the heroes who stepped up to rescue their fellow Americans and help our communities rebuild in the hours — and years — thereafter.  And never forget our obligation to honor their memories and service by building a safer and more secure future for all.”

…

 “NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 8, 2023, through September 10, 2023, as National Days of Prayer and Remembrance.  I ask that the people of the United States honor the victims of September 11, 2001, and their loved ones with prayer, contemplation, memorial services and visits, bells, candlelight vigils, and other activities.  I invite people around the world to join.  I call on the citizens of our Nation to give thanks for our many freedoms and blessings, and I invite all people of faith to join me in asking for God’s continued guidance, mercy, and protection.”