Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 31 July 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.

Shawn Brokos: Creating and spreading the ‘Pittsburgh model’ for Jewish community security

The Pittsburg Post-Gazette reports that the Jewish Federation, along with the Secure Community Network (SCN), has been working to ensure that Jewish institutions have the resources, training, and connections to make safety a reality. The three critical pillars of their approach, which has come to be called the “Pittsburgh model,” are physical and operational assessments of each organization and community; a robust training and drill program; and a threat mitigation program which consists of law enforcement engagement, community reporting and incident response.

In a related story, Sky News reports that synagogues are conducting shooter drills and employing armed security guards.

Analyst Comment:

All Faith-Based Organizations can learn from the Pittsburg Tree of Life Synagogue tragedy. The “Pittsburg model” can be a valuable guide to protecting places of worship.

DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) also provides Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship – Security Guide.

In addition, the U.S. Government’s First Responder Toolbox report “Threats Against Houses of Worship Highlight the Importance of Religious Community Outreach,” details potential violent extremist threats to faith-based organizations and offers mitigation resources.

“Someone’s going to end up dead”: New evidence emerges in Travis Scott Astroworld tragedy

The Texas Tribune reports that the Houston Police Department released a 1,266-page redacted report on the 2021 Travis Scott concert where 10 people died and hundreds were injured. The victims were reportedly pinned against barriers after thousands of concertgoers had squeezed together. The artist continued to perform for 37 minutes after police and fire officials declared the situation a “mass casualty event.” The report describes, in vivid detail, that no one seemed to know how to stop the tragedy as it unfolded.

Spectrum News reported that a Texas task force, created to study concert safety and crowd control measures, determined that un-ticketed fans had entered the concert area hours before the concert began and overwhelmed the staff. The task force recommended, among other proposals, that event organizers create a command center that is authorized to pause or cancel a show in response to safety concerns. 

Analyst Comment:

Faith-Based Organizations that have large gatherings should consider reviewing the Houston report to have an understanding of the

risks and safeguards involved in large gatherings. Individuals also need to know the risks of attending a large gathering.

CISA has a Securing Public Gatherings webpage. CISA’s resources include Mass Gathering Security Planning Tool, Mass Gatherings: Security Awareness for Soft Targets and Crowded Places, and Mass Gatherings: Take Charge of Your Personal Safety.

1 woman dead, 8 other women injured in North Lawndale shooting

As posted in FB-ISAO Slack, “note church role in community recovery/resilience plans.” From the article: “She encouraged anyone involved or affected by the shooting to attend victim services outreach Monday between 1 and 7 p.m. at Deliverance Temple Church, 1457 S. Komensky Ave. Attendees will be able to receive confidential counseling, visit with therapy dogs, talk with detectives and more.”

Below is an article related to Friday’s Daily Awareness Post   

Swatting Incident at Congregation B’nai Israel On Sat. Morning, Man with a Gun

According to Township of Millburn officials, a swatting incident occurred Saturday morning at a New Jersey synagogue. Responding police officers searched the premises and determined there was no gun in the building and that the synagogue and its occupants were safe.

ICYMI:

Recently an FB-ISAO member organization was the victim of a swatting incident. On 08 August, there will be a review of that incident during FB-ISAO’s 2023 Educational Series: A Culture of Security. Representatives from the member organization will be on hand to discuss how the swatting incident unfolded, what it was like in the moment, what was learned from the incident itself, the subsequent response, and other takeaways. The session is only open to members of FB-ISAO. Link to the membership page: https://faithbased-isao.org/membership/