Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 3 January 2025

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 Arrested For Threats Against Grace City Church

News Radio 560 KPO reports that a 35-year-old Wenatchee, WA man allegedly made threats against Grace City Church. He is accused of posting a short video threatening to harm the church and children. Church members spotted the social media post and notified Wenatchee Police.

The article quotes the church’s head of security. Justin Kissel states “Our congregation is pretty aware of our security measures. We do have a visible presence which is usually myself in uniform and we have volunteers on the rest of my team who are current and former law enforcement, military personnel, EMS and fire. They are in plain clothes blended in throughout the congregation, the community hall and the children’s area.  Any place we have the kids, we have protection there as well.”

Some have criticized the security measures.

Analyst Comments:

The above article is an example of a house of worship with a robust security program and successful If You See Something, Say Something®.

The following can be used to improve observations and reporting:

• Be Vigilant Training Video Series | CISA
• If You See Something, Say Something®.
• DHS provides an If You See Something, Say Something® Indicator Infographic Poster
• DHS’ How to Report Suspicious Activitywebsite provides links to local tip lines.
• There is also an FBI Electronic Tip Form.

The following can be useful for Security Teams:

FB-ISAO’s current Monthly Education series is presenting Standing Up Teams. This series of discussions is on how to effectively create, develop, and manage Security Teams for houses of worship. The material in this series may also be useful when developing a Security Team for an FBO-related school.

The FB-ISAO FireArms in the House Series: What Did We Learn? post may also be a useful resource.

As the post states, “The FB-ISAO takes no position on this topic, other than to promote best practices in pursuit of the house of worship’s objectives and implementation of any appropriate model.”

Additionally, CISA’s Houses of Worship Security Self-Assessment website has a section on “Security Forces”.

An additional consideration for Security Teams is an article about protests against an Amarillo, TX church that pepper sprayed homeless persons. A group of 25 to 30 homeless people allegedly trespassed, damaged a fence, and committed burglaries.  

ISIS no longer rules a territory. But its recruits still pose a global threat

It’s many years since ISIS, also known as Islamic State, held sway over much of Syria and northern Iraq a time when it spawned affiliates throughout Africa and Asia and organized a series of deadly terror attacks in European cities. But as a terror group it remains active in more than a dozen countries – and has inspired and supported individuals and cells in Europe and Russia in recent years. ISIS is far from moribund, even if it is now a loosely linked network rather than a self-declared caliphate controlling sizeable cities… There is also the perennial concern among Western security services that individuals inspired by ISIS will launch low-tech attacks – such as stabbings, shootings and driving vehicles into crowds. Such plans are notoriously difficult to detect. Vehicle attacks in the name of ISIS in the last few years – including in Nice, Barcelona, Berlin and New York – have killed more than 100 people.

Related Article:

• Pennsylvania Man Who Traveled to Lebanon and Syria with Goal of Joining Hizballah Indicted on Terrorism Offense and for Lying to FBI

Analyst Comments:

In addition to the above reports, the 31 December 2024 Daily Awareness Post highlighted the Yeshiva World News reporting of an anonymous Telegram post encouraging New Year’s Day Jihad In America And Europe.

As a result of the most recent fatal vehicle ramming attack, New Orleans is increasing its vehicle attack defenses. The recent attack may cause others to improve or implement vehicle attack defenses. Terrorist organizations and individuals influenced by terrorist organizations will bypass these heavily defended facilities and public spaces to threaten softer targets.

As ISIS and other terrorist organizations encourage vehicle ramming and other low-tech attacks, Faith-Based Organizations should consider what can be done to keep their houses of worship and facilities from being considered a vulnerable soft target.

The Rand website highlights the Key Finding and Recommendations of their Improving the Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places: A Landscape Assessment, a very in-depth, 148-page research report.

The CISA: Security of Soft Targets and Crowded Places-Resources Guide provides links to multiple resources.

CISA also provides Complex Coordinated Attacks: Security Awareness for Soft Targets and Crowded Places

New Orleans Vehicle Ramming Attack

• Remarks by President Biden on the Latest Developments in New Orleans | Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
• Texas man who backed Islamic State acted alone in New Orleans attack, FBI says
• New pictures show terror suspect placing explosives ahead of deadly ‘premeditated’ bloodbath
• Investigators seek clues to New Orleans attacker’s path to radicalization
• New Orleans suspect faced family and money struggles
• Devil’s den New Orleans ISIS terrorist had bomb-making station and Quran open to chilling passage in his home, new pics reveal
• FBI official reveals new details about the New Orleans attack (video)
• City of New Orleans Provides Public Safety Response Updates Regarding New Year’s Mass Casualty Incident
• Vehicles as a Terrorist Weapon: History of the Last 20 Years
• Recordings by New Orleans attack suspect express extreme religious views
• CAIR Joins New Orleans Muslim Community in Mourning Victims of Bourbon Street Attack, Denouncing Daesh

Las Vegas Vehicle Explosion

• Soldier shot self in head before Cybertruck exploded outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel, officials say
• Soldier’s Bomb in Tesla Outside Trump Hotel Could Have Been More Lethal
• Cybertruck bomber’s wife broke up with him days before explosion outside Trump hotel in Vegas: sources
• Cybertruck blast suspect was a ‘Rambo type’ who loved Trump, family says
• Matthew Livelsberger’s Text Messages Before Cybertruck Explosion Revealed
• Cybertruck bomber bragged to ex about renting vehicle — days before blowing it up
• Trump Hotel guests describe chaotic moments after Tesla Cybertruck explosion