Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 28 June 2023

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.

Fame-seeking mass shooters diversify their attacks to gain attention, study suggests (psypost.org)

The  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has published a study which suggests  fame-seeking mass shooters tend to diversify their attacks to draw public attention.

The study posits that previously, it was commonly believed the notoriety of mass shooters was primarily driven by the number of people they killed (lethality). However, this study challenges that notion and suggests “surprise” plays a crucial role in creating fame for mass shooters, even when considering the level of lethality.

To conduct the study, the researchers collected data on 189 mass shootings that occurred between August 1966 and April 2021. The data was obtained from three sources: the Washington Post, the Violence Project, and Mother Jones.

The actual study can be found here. Fame through surprise: How fame-seeking mass shooters diversify their attacks | PNAS

Analyst Comment:

Also, since seeking notoriety is often a motive for mass shooters, not naming the shooter in reports may reduce the number of mass shooting. The Don’t Name Them campaign promotes not naming suspects.

Amid national rise in antisemitism, Sonoma synagogue boosts security with state grant

A California synagogue received a $200, 000 state grant to improve security. The congregation tried to secure the grant for nearly five years. The congregation was one of seven Sonoma County houses of worship awarded a total of $1.8 million. The funds come from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.  Grants Management | California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Analyst Comment:

There are a wide variety of grants available. As the Sonoma synagogue shows, it may take a long time to receive a grant, so Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) should apply as soon as possible and to as many grants as possible. While each grant has unique requirements, a template with an organization’s information and needs can facilitate multiple applications. It is best to thoroughly review the grant’s requirements and show how your organization meets those specific requirements.

As an example of how specific grants requirements can be, Religious News Service reported that there is a federal energy efficiency grant for houses-of-worship.

Additional grants are available from other states and the federal government.

Federal grant funding opportunities can be found at Grant Funding Opportunities | Homeland Security (dhs.gov).

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More Faith-Based Stories

• NY: HATE IN WILLIAMSBURG: Anti-Semite Violently Attacks 77-Year-Old Jewish Man

• ‘On the border of terrorism’: Spokane Valley church’s Pride display vandalized with diesel

• NY: Unholy robbery under investigation at Rensselaer church

• Possible threat made against SW Minnesota church was false alarm, sheriff says

• HOLOCAUST DENYING CANADIAN NEWSPAPER AMPLIFIES ANTISEMITIC CONTENT 

• FL: ‘GDL’ LEADER ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT 

• Roseanne Barr claims ‘no one died in the Holocaust’ in bizarre ‘sarcasm’ bit, adding that ‘six million Jews should die right now.’

• FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER RETURNS TO WORK DESPITE CONTROVERSIAL NAZI SALUTE PHOTO

• Swedish police grant permit for Quran burning protest outside Stockholm mosque

• ‘Christians are living in constant fear’: UK report highlights ‘religious dimensions’ of Manipur violence

• 7 dismembered bodies found outside church in Mexico

• UK: Police investigate alleged racism by pupils at Orthodox Jewish school

• Iranian Authorities Arrest Associates of Iran’s Top Sunni Leader Accused Of ‘Disturbing Public Minds’

• Muslims at Hajj pilgrimage brave intense heat to cast stones at pillars representing the devil

• Statement from President Joe Biden on the Occasion of Eid al-Adha

• The Vatican Releases Its Own AI Ethics Handbook

• Parents, religious groups to protest Montgomery Co. schools’ gender and sexuality curriculum

• Church members say they fired their pastor, but he refused to leave after judge overruled the decision

• Knoxville Bishop Richard Stika resigns amid lawsuits and internal crises

• Vatican launches investigation of firebrand Texas Bishop Strickland, diocese confirms

Select All-Hazards Stories

• Weekly Security Sprint EP 23. Hate based attacks, was Andy in Russia? The weather report, cyber analysis, and more.

• Employee at Las Vegas apartment complex takes out suspect carrying AR-15, thwarting possible mass shooting: Report

• National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism Strategic Implementation Update

• New Report Reveals CISA Tried to Cover Up Censorship Practices

• Watchdog says counterterrorism information sharing system needs program manager

• Protecting an Open Campus: How Vanguard University Improved Safety and Security

• How Howard University Quelled Campus Fears After 8 Racially Motivated Bomb Threats

• Iranians go from ‘harassment’ to hajj happiness after Saudi pact

• How Your Real Flight Reservation Can Be Used to Scam You

• FTC Takes Action Against Publishers Clearing House for Misleading Consumers About Sweepstakes Entries

• FTC Order Requires New England-based Clothing Accessories Company to Pay for Falsely Claiming Its Products Were Made in USA

• Excessive Heat Building Across the South; Wildfire Smoke Impacting Air Quality. (NWS)

• Wildfire Smoke Continues To Plague Great Lakes, Ohio Valley With Poor Air Quality

• What To Expect From Hurricane Season In July

• Artificial Intelligence how can it help and harm us?

• White House Administration Cybersecurity Priorities for the FY 2025 Budget (PDF)
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• CISA’s Vulnerability Summary for the Week of June 19, 2023

• Risky Biz News

• ChatGPT, Generative AI Gets 6-Month Ban in Maine Government

• ZDI Updates

More Security-focused Content

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