skip to Main Content
Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post

Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 27 December 2024

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.

Rhode Island man to plead guilty to setting fire to Black church

USA Today reports the following on this incident that occurred in February 2024:

A Rhode Island man has agreed to plead guilty to charges that he set fire to a North Providence church earlier this year, targeting it because of its mostly Black membership, according to court documents.

He admitted to buying a Bic lighter and gasoline at a nearby Cumberland Farms shortly before midnight, pouring the gasoline around the outside of the church and igniting it, according to a plea agreement filed Friday in U.S. District Court, Providence.

The arson unnerved the church community, which has about 100 members, and drew intense police scrutiny. Pastor Eric Perry said the fire could have been fatal if the church had been holding a service when it was set.

Related Articles:

Analyst Comments:

Yesterday’s Daily Awareness Post highlighted an item where a man threated to “show up to one of their locations with a machete and gasoline.” Gasoline and other accelerants are very easy to obtain and use. A lone actor can act quickly without needing time to plan an attack or obtain restricted weapons. When developing security plans and procedures, the threat of Fire as a Weapon should be considered.

The 28 October 2024 Daily Awareness Post highlighted the “Rash of Fire as a Weapon, Arson, and Suspicious Fires Against Communities of Faith”. The blog also provided resources and recommendations.

How to Prevent an Electric Bike Fire – Consumer Reports

The Consumer Reports item states:

Nationwide, there have been 188 explosions and more than 3,000 fires caused by lithium-ion battery-powered consumer devices since 2022, according to data from UL Solutions. In New York City, where many people rely on e-mobility devices such as electric scooters and bikes for their jobs and for general transportation needs, there was a significant rise in such fires in 2023—267 fires leading to 150 injuries and 18 deaths overall, according to the New York Fire Department (FDNY). According to FDNY figures, the number of e-mobility device fires is nearly nine times higher than in 2019, the last time there were no deaths associated with them.

Consumer Reports provides the following fire prevention tips:

  • Buy an electric bike that is certified by a qualified testing organization such as Underwriters Laboratory. The same applies to other devices powered by a lithium-ion battery.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.
  • Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the bike.
  • Do not leave an electric bike unattended while it’s charging, and don’t leave it charging overnight.
  • If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, a change in shape or color, leaking, or odd noises, stop using it immediately.
  • If the battery reacts in an alarming way, and it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.
  • Keep batteries and devices at room temperature. Do not place them in direct sunlight.
  • Store batteries away from anything flammable.
  • Do not use aftermarket batteries.
  • Do not charge an electronic device under your pillow, on your bed, or near a couch.
  • Do not block your primary way into and out of the building with an e-bike or other device.
  • Do not leave an e-bike in a child’s room (or, say CR safety advocates, bedrooms in general).
  • If the battery appears to be on fire, get out of the building quickly and call 911.
  • Dispose of used batteries and chargers at a designated battery recycling center. Don’t just throw them in the trash.
  • Educate relatives and friends about how to properly charge, care for, and dispose of lithium-ion batteries.

Analyst Comments:

The Consumer Reports (CR) article is a good follow up to the 17 December 2024 Daily Awareness Post which discussed the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. As the CR article states, “As long as they’re handled properly, they’re generally safe.” The key is to handle them properly. The above fire prevention tips should be considered for any item powered by a lithium battery.

More Security-focused Content

Attacks on Houses of Worship in 2023
Read the March 2024 Threat Level Statement Update
Access all-hazards resources from public and private sector partners, curated by the FB-ISAO team.

The FB-ISAO’s sponsor Gate 15 publishes a free daily newsletter called the SUN. Curated from their open source intelligence collection process, the SUN informs leaders and analysts with the critical news of the day and provides a holistic look at the current global, all-hazards threat environment. Ahead of the daily news cycle, the SUN allows current situational awareness into the topics that will impact your organization. To sign-up for the SUN, send an email to [email protected]

Learn More About Gate 15’s Enhanced Intel Solutions

Back To Top
Show Buttons
Hide Buttons