Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 04 January 2024

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.

Anonymous bomb threat made to synagogue in Davidson, officials say

WBTV3 reports:

“Officials say an email was sent to 33 recipients that claimed to “have placed explosives in places of worship throughout the state of North Carolina,” which included a local synagogue in the Town of Davidson.”

Related articles:

• FBI calls bomb threats that led to brief lockdowns and evacuations of some state capitols a hoax
• Bomb Hoaxes and ‘Swatting’ Attempts Target Public Officials as 2024 Begins

Analyst Comments:

The DAP regularly reports on bomb threats across the country. Due to the rise in bomb threats to Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) and other entities, FBO emergency management representatives should consider taking advantage of bomb threat courses and products offered by the Federal government.

• Bomb Threat Assessment for Decision Makers (FEMA Course)

Overview

The purpose of this course is to provide participants foundational knowledge on the assessment and evaluation of bomb threats and related responses and considerations. This course introduces types of threats, the threat assessment process, and the implementation of a Bomb Threat Management (BTM) plan. It provides activities that allow participants to apply specific portions of the risk management process and their newly acquired knowledge about bomb threat management procedures to develop a risk assessment of a bomb threat. This course was developed by the Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP), under the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Infrastructure Security Division. See dates, register here.

Target Audience

This course is designed for public and private sector emergency management representatives, critical infrastructure owners/operators. Law enforcement is encouraged to attend to understand what relationship a facility’s BTM plan has with a law enforcement response.

• CISA Bomb Threat Products

• PUBLICATIONS

·       Bombing Prevention Assistance for K-12 Schools

·       Federally Sponsored C-IED Training and Education Resources Catalog

·       DHS Bomb Threat Checklist

·       DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Guidance Quad-Fold

·       DHS-DOJ Bomb Threat Stand-Off Card

·       Bomb Threat Guide

·       Bomb Threats During Temporary Events Poster

·       Mass Bomb Threats Postcard

·       Unattended vs. Suspicious Item Postcard and Poster

• VIDEOS

·       Critical Resources for Handling Bomb Threats Video

·       What to Do: Bomb Threat Video

·       What to Do: Bomb Searches Video

New Jersey imam shot dead outside mosque, no suspect or motive identified

There is no indication that the shooting was a bias-motivated crime or an act of domestic terrorism based on the evidence collected so far in the investigation, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said at an afternoon briefing.

Related Article:

Imam Hassan Sharif dies in shooting outside New Jersey mosque – months after he was attacked at gunpoint at same place

Analyst Comments:

While this tragedy does not initially appear to be a bias-motivated crime or an act of domestic terrorism, Communities of Faith should maintain vigilance against those types of threats and other forms of violence. Also, FBOs should consider the security of the exterior of their houses of worship and facilities.

CISA’s Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship – Security Guide provides a wide range of protective measures, including protecting inner, middle, and outer perimeters. Members of FBOs may be most vulnerable when in or exiting the outer perimeter, so FBOs should consider increasing security in this area.

Suspects held over alleged Argentina parcel plot

Police in Argentina have arrested three men from Lebanon and Syria suspected of planning a “terrorist act” in the South American country. They had booked into a hotel near the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and were reportedly waiting for the arrival of a large parcel from Yemen. The city is currently hosting the Pan-American Maccabiah Games, which brings together thousands of Jewish athletes. Argentina is home to Latin America’s largest Jewish community.

Analyst Comments:

The incident in Argentina is a reminder that international terrorists are still a threat to FBOs. Communities of Faith need to maintain their security efforts.

The Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (FB-ISAO) provides members with Information that can be trusted to provide communities of faith with accurate threat, prevention, protection, and mitigation information. Also, FB-ISAO members are sharing information about threats in FB-ISAO Slack.

FB-ISAO also offers educational sessions and other activities to assist FBOs in preparedness and mitigation.  

If not already a member, consider joining here.