Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 12 August 2024

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.

FBI and Maui Police Department Issue Update on Explosive Devices and Urge Public to Report Suspicious Activity — FBI

On 9 August, the FBI published:

The FBI and the Maui Police Department (MPD) advise an explosion on Old Haleakala Highway on August 8 was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) which had been placed in a nearby trash receptacle. The explosion struck a passing vehicle, and the driver was transported and released.

The FBI and MPD have identified and collected several IEDs which vary in size and shape and have rendered them safe. The recovered devices have been located along roadways between Kahului and Kula, and were concealed from view in trash receptacles or other areas outside of plain view. The FBI and MPD continue to urge the public to be cautious of any unknown object.

The recovered device from our August 8 press release is a 7-inch x 4-inch cylinder shape. Forensic review is ongoing to determine how these devices were configured to detonate.

The FBI and MPD continue to urge the public to report any suspicious activity that could present a threat to public safety, such as someone leaving an object unattended in a public space. If you see a suspicious or unknown object, especially near any street or road, do not touch, drive over, or go near it for any reason. If possible, keep others away from the area and call 911 immediately.

If you have information, or if you suspect you know someone who could be responsible for these devices, please report it immediately to tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Any detail–no matter how small–may be useful in identifying those responsible and preventing any future threats to our community’s safety.

Related Articles:

• FBI Investigating Homemade Bomb That Exploded On A Maui Highway
• FBI and Maui police issue joint public safety warning regarding potential explosive devices
• FBI, Maui police investigate potential explosive devices in Kahului and Pukalani

Analyst Comments:

Earlier this year, and late last year, FB-ISAO’s Daily Awareness Posts highlighted the surge in bomb threats against Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) and other organizations. The past surge in false bomb threats may have made the public complacent about the threat of an attack with explosive devices. Since Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) are relatively easy to build with easily obtained materials, the risk remains. In addition to the detonated IED, Hawaiian law enforcement found several undetonated IEDs.  

If a suspicious item is discovered, do not move or touch the item, evacuate the area, and call 911.

CISA’s Bomb Threat Guide help organizations revise or develop a bomb threat response plan and contingencies in the event an explosive device is involved. The guide includes information on suspicious items recognition.

CISA uses the acronym H.O.T.

H: Is the item intentionally Hidden?

O: Is the item Obviously suspicious?

T: Is the item not Typical for your environment?

The US Postal Service Inspectors provide Poster 84 – Suspicious Mail or Packages to help identify suspicious packages. FBOs should consider displaying this poster in the area where mail is received and/or sorted.

Follow Up to Numerous Fires at Faith-Based Organizations

Fire at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Montgomery County causes $5 million in damage

ABC 7 News reports:

A Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Montgomery County reportedly caught on fire early Friday morning, resulting in a response from over 70 firefighters, according to officials.

…

The fire was put out as of 5:30 a.m. with major damages in the sanctuary and through the roof of the building. Officials estimated there is about $5 million worth of damage.

No injuries were reported and officials said the fire likely wasn’t related to Friday’s storms.

According to a church statement, the fire began in their audio-visual booth…

Police arrest man, 66, for alleged hate crime fire outside the Jewish Museum of Maryland

CBS’s WJZ News reports:

A 66-year-old man was arrested for allegedly setting a fire outside of the Jewish Museum of Maryland, Baltimore Police said.

Police said Assadollah Hashemi, who has a history of fire-related crimes, was taken into custody by SWAT officers without incident on Saturday at a home on Druid Park Lake Drive. According to arrest records, Hashemi is facing second-degree attempted arson and first-degree attempted malicious burning charges.

…

Howard Libit, the Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, told WJZ the incident was caught on a security camera system.

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“It’s hard to believe someone would randomly light a small fire outside an institution that’s clearly labeled as Jewish between two historic synagogues that there’s not some antisemitic or anti-Israel intent,” Libit said.

Switzerland: Police arrest man for pouring gas on synagogue

DW (Deutsche Welle) reports:

The 32-year-old Swiss national detained hours after the attack was described by police as “mentally disturbed.” Jewish communities have witnessed a sharp rise in antisemitism since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in Gaza.

A man has been arrested for allegedly dousing a synagogue in Zurich with petrol, police in Switzerland said on Sunday.

Analyst Comments:

This incident shows the value of security camera’s in apprehending attackers of Faith-Based Organizations. As was reported in Friday’s DAP, a security fence in front of the Jewish Museum of Maryland successfully prevented the arson fire from being started up against the building.

A robust security posture can reduce an FBO’s risk of an attack, mitigate the attack if it occurs, and assist law enforcement in apprehending the attacker.

Friday’s DAP also provided links to resources and listed protective measures that can prevent and mitigate fire as a weapon attacks, arson, and accidental fires.