Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 10 September 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. 

13 people hurt in 2 mass shootings at Minneapolis homeless encampments on the same day

On September 16^th two mass shootings occurred within about 12 hours at homeless encampments in Minneapolis, injuring at least 13 people. The first shooting happened just after 11 a.m. and the second took place around 10 p.m. Authorities have recovered many shell casings at the scene and believe there was some exchange of gunfire between someone inside the encampment and outside shooters. No arrests have been made yet, and police are investigating whether the two incidents are connected. Minneapolis Mayor described the situation as “tragic,” “horrible,” and “unacceptable,” noting that mass shootings have become more frequent in the city.

Analyst Comments: The shootings at Minneapolis homeless encampments shows challenge associated with  public safety for vulnerable populations. Encampments often become high-risk areas because of concentrated poverty, substance abuse, limited oversight, and tensions among residents and outsiders. This incident shows the difficulty of balancing the safety risk, if officials attempt to clear encampments, they may face ethical and legal barriers. HOWs, shelters, and aid groups serving unhoused individuals may consider reviewing security practices, reinforcing communication with local police, and consider situational awareness training. For individuals visiting or volunteering near encampments, maintaining awareness of surroundings, avoiding large gatherings after violent events, and following city updates can help reduce personal risk.

Three Reported Dead in Shooting Near Chicago School

A shooting in front of Lincoln Middle School in Berwyn, a suburb of Chicago, resulted in three deaths, according to reports. Authorities say the incident occurred around 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday September 16, when a male suspect began shooting a rifle into a vehicle near the school, then turned his fire toward police officers as they responded. Police believe the shooting was “domestic-related” though details surrounding that characterization are still being investigated. Authorities have indicated that “None of the individuals killed were students from Lincoln Middle School.” After the incident, the school was placed on lockdown, and officers reported that all involved parties are “accounted for”.

Analyst Comments: This tragic shooting illustrates how violence can spill into schools and other facilities even when students are not the intended targets. Security teams are encouraged to consider surrounding areas outside of the physical boundaries of a campus when conducting threat assessments and attempting to mitigate risks.  

Physical security considerations include:

1. Emergency Preparedness: Continue practicing lockdown, evacuation, and reunification drills to ensure staff and students respond quickly in chaotic situations.
2. Perimeter Security: Strengthen entry/exit monitoring and situational awareness around school grounds, especially after hours when staff and students may feel less guarded.
3. Partnerships with Law Enforcement: Maintain strong relationships with local police so response coordination is rapid and accurate during crises.
4. Threat Assessment Teams: Have multidisciplinary teams trained to evaluate potential domestic-related or community threats that could spill into schools.
5. Mental Health Support: Provide immediate counseling and long-term support for students, staff, and families impacted, as trauma effects often linger beyond the event.
6. Communication Protocols: Ensure parents receive timely, accurate updates to avoid confusion or misinformation during incidents.

Members have not already done so are encouraged to review CISA’s Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities.

ICE crackdowns intensify across Boston as sanctuary cities faced Trump’s latest operation

In Boston and the surrounding area, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has escalated enforcement operations, detaining immigrants in everyday public settings like outside their homes, at workplaces, courthouses, and shelters. These actions are part of a broader push by the Trump administration targeting so-called “sanctuary cities” that limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement. The intensification has sparked protests and concerns among immigrant advocates, who argue the enforcement tactics are disrupting lives and instilling fear in immigrant communities.

Analyst Comments: The increased ICE enforcement in Boston shows the ongoing tensions between federal immigration priorities and local sanctuary policies. This can create fear among immigrant populations, leading to reduced cooperation with local law enforcement. HOWs should also be aware as they tend to be safe havens.

HOWsare encouraged to:

• HOWs should stay informed about local enforcement trends and provide trusted updates to their communities.
• Consider designating themselves as supportive environments where congregants can seek resources and information without fear.
• Community Engagement: Encourage dialogue within congregations to address fear and misinformation while reinforcing community solidarity.
• Preparedness: Establish response protocols in case enforcement activity occurs nearby, including communication trees and volunteer support networks.

Back It Up or Lose It: Data Recovery Strategies That Work

When ransomware attacks, backups are often the difference between quick recovery and permanent loss. Reliable backups allow organizations to restore operations without having to pay ransom. However, simply having backups isn’t enough they must be frequent, redundant, and tested. The article also explains types of backups (full, incremental, differential) and discusses the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies of data, on two different media, with one copy offsite.

Key parts of a good backup strategy include:

• Frequency: Backups should occur often enough to minimize data loss. Critical systems might need hourly or real-time backups; less critical systems can use daily or weekly schedules.
• Redundancy: Maintain multiple backup copies stored in different locations and on different types of media to avoid a single point of failure.
• Testing: Regularly validate (through drills or full restores) that backup data can be recovered in a timely manner.