Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 15 June 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.

Man took off clothes at Farmingdale mosque for 2nd time this week

A man has been arrested a second time for criminal trespass and exposing himself in a Long Island, NY mosque. The day before, he entered the same mosque, undressed, ran around the mosque, and punched a tablet attached to a wall.  He was released on bail that night. After the second intrusion, the mosque hired a security guard.

In yesterday’s post, at the top of More Faith-Based Stories, FB-ISAO listed the Daily Voice’s report about the original attack.

Analyst Comment: Faith-Based Organizations should continuously prepare for hostile events, even after perpetrators have been arrested or served protection orders. While actual attacks need to be treated as a serious ievent, awareness of the status of the perpetrator and the possible continued threat should also be considered.  

Fire set inside Somerville church after Pride worship service

A fire was deliberately set inside the sanctuary of a Massachusetts church after a Pride worship service was held. A member of the congregation extinguished the fire before it spread to other parts of the church. No one was injured and Sunday services will be held on a lower floor. In a related report by CBS, a Baton Rouge church fire has been ruled arson.

Analyst Comment: The June 13 Daily Awareness Post reported on a Missouri church that was completely destroyed by fire. The above church fires in Massachusetts and Louisiana show that Fire as a Weapon is a nationwide threat against all denominations. Prevention and Preparedness can keep a house of worship from being destroyed.

As FB-ISAO recommended on June 13, suspicious activities should be reported to law enforcement and trigger appropriate temporary increases in security measures. Refer to CISA’s Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Security Guide and Fire As A Weapon Action Guide (cisa.gov).

Crisis management and terrorist attacks: Planning for the worst

During the Crisis Management in High Rise and Complex Buildings conference, a presenter from International Protect and Prepare Security Office emphasized the need for preparedness. The presentation included questions that organizations need to ask about their preparedness and gave key principles of crisis management.

Analyst Comment: American society as a whole is becoming complacent about the threat of terrorist attacks, but the Faith-Based Community needs to be aware that the threat may still exists. While the presentation was aimed at high rise buildings in the UK, the material covered can be used by Faith-Based Organizations with any type of facility.