Faith-Based Security Headlines
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.
Maine mass shooting updates: At least 18 dead, gunman on the run
NBC News 4 reports:
Authorities confirmed on Thursday that a man shot and killed 18 people at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday and then fled into the night, sparking a massive search by hundreds of officers while frightened residents stayed locked in their homes under a shelter-in-place advisory.
Analyst Comments:
Houses of worship in Maine should review their emergency operations plan while heeding local law enforcement guidance.
Learn actions to take during an Active Shooter or other Hostile Event from:
- Run. Hide. Fight. videos found in the FBI’s Active Shooter Safety Resources
- STOP THE BLEED
- FEMA’s You Are the Help Until Help Arrives
- CISA: Active Shooter Pocket Card
Other resources include:
- Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship – Security Guide (cisa.gov)
- Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence (cisa.gov)
- Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places-Resources Guide
- Information on the See Something, Say Something campaign can be found at About the Campaign | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)
- FEMA – Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Course | IS-904: Active Shooter Prevention: You Can Make a Difference
- Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) Active armed offender guidelines for crowded places (nationalsecurity.gov.au)
As always, Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library.
Resilience Where We Worship: Keeping Faith Based Communities Safe
This DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agancy (CISA) blog explains how CISA is committed to supporting efforts that maintain safe and secure houses of worship and related facilities while sustaining an open and welcoming environment. They work in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Faith-Based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (FB-ISAO) to build security and resilience for all. The blog post centers on CISA Region 8, but the activities are repeated across all CISA Regions.
Analyst Comments:
With respect to the current threat environment, we have seen individuals conduct hateful acts of violence upon individuals the attackers believed to be Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian. We assess that Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) will continue to face vandalism, property damage, theft, harassment, and communicated threats, as well as other low-level acts of violence and, in rare instances, actual physical assaults on individuals and facilities, whether motivated by hate, politics, or criminal gain. The possibility that an active assailant may target an FBO remains an enduring threat. The blog post, noted above, outlines resources available to Houses of Worship:
- The Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence
- The Houses of Worship Security Assessment
- Perimeter Security Considerations Infographic
- Power of Hello Houses of Worship Guide and the accompanying De-Escalation Series tools
- Bomb Threat Management
- Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Security Guide
- Paper-Based Houses of Worship Security Self-Assessment and User Guide
FBI, DHS warn of U.S. hate crimes increase amid Israel-Hamas war
Politico reports:
Federal law enforcement officials warned on Wednesday that Israel’s ongoing war with Palestinian militants could encourage more hate crimes in the U.S.
In a public service announcement released Wednesday night, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it “has seen an increase in reports of threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities and institutions” and said that “recent events have increased the possibility of potential attacks against individuals and institutions in response to developments in the Middle East.”
Analyst Comments:
The two-page PDF of the DHS and FBI Public Service Announcement can be found here.
The PSA also includes resources DHS and FBI resources.
Rapid Response Memo: Offline Events in the US Related to Israel-Gaza Conflict
Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative website provides a PDF list that focuses on attacks, vandalism, fights, or other offline violence or direct threats related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Analyst Comments:
The information on the Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative website is shared for member’s general situational awareness.
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More Faith-Based Stories
Florida man arrested for first-degree murder in man’s death at Winter Haven church
KNIFE-WIELDING TEENS SPEW ANTISEMITIC THREATS AT CHILDREN IN BROOKLYN
Arrest made in vandalism of Jesus statue outside Boston church
MD: Severn Apostolic Temple Vandalized
MAN BREAKS INTO JEWISH HOME SHOUTING “FREE PALESTINE”
MI: Anti-Jewish, LGBTQ flyers shock residents in Chelsea, Dexter, and Pinckney
College students spark outrage by honoring the ‘MARTYRS’ of Palestine
Cooper Union barricades Jewish students inside library as pro-Palestine protesters bang on doors
Texas Baptist Men provides thousands of meals in Israel after Hamas attack
CCTV shows moment man tries to launch arson attack on Islamic centre as cops launch probe…
Milan probes death threat to Jews at nightclub, dozens of antisemitic incidents
Unknown suspects bang on Jewish doors, make hateful remarks: Toronto police
Ukraine lawmakers advance law to ban churches with ties to Moscow
Protesters planning action outside Scientology’s UK HQ during its ‘greatest gathering’ and Scientology Faces Largest Protest in Years Against David Miscavige
Select All-Hazards Stories
5 ways HR leaders can help organizations mitigate insider risk
No, Hamas and Hezbollah Are Not Sending Fighters Across the Southern Border
Video: CAIR-FL Says Florida Ban on Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Violates Free Speech Rights
Pro-Palestinian student walkouts take place at Princeton, NYU and Columbia
Lone wolf terrorists in Europe are not so lonely anymore – who is radicalising and recruiting them?
Palestinian arrested in Brussels for talk about planning a suicide bombing
‘El Talibán,’ Europe’s top jihadi recruiter, arrested in Melilla
Germany arrests Islamist planning anti-Israel terror attack
Hamas Fighters Trained in Iran Before Oct. 7 Attacks
Heavy Snow from Northern Rockies into the Northern Plains; Heavy Rainfall for the Central U.S.; Record Warmth for the East National Weather Service
Pro-Palestinian social networkers use ‘algo-speak’ to avoid detection
More Security-focused Content
The FB-ISAO’s sponsor Gate 15 publishes a free daily newsletter called the SUN. Curated from their open source intelligence collection process, the SUN informs leaders and analysts with the critical news of the day and provides a holistic look at the current global, all-hazards threat environment. Ahead of the daily news cycle, the SUN allows current situational awareness into the topics that will impact your organization. To sign-up for The SUN, please sign up below.
