Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 9 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.

Numerous Fires at Faith-Based Organizations

Four Ohio churches near each other destroyed by alleged arson, $10,000 reward offered for information leading to arrest

WTRF.com reports:

Investigators with the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Gallia and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Offices are asking for the public’s help in identifying those responsible for at least four fires that destroyed churches in Gallia and Lawrence Counties, including three that have occurred since May 10, 2024.

Officials say that although no one was injured in the fires, all four churches were destroyed.

Cause of fire at Jewish Museum of Maryland being investigated

CBS News reports:

The cause of a fire just outside the locked front gates of the Jewish Museum of Maryland is under investigation, according to the Baltimore Fire Department.

The City’s Fire Investigation Bureau and federal agents began to comb through the scene at 15 Lloyd Street in Baltimore on Wednesday morning.

However, the actual incident, which was caught on a security camera system, occurred on Sunday night, according to Howard Libit,  the Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council.

“Going back in video, what appears to be someone Sunday night around 10:30 pulls up to the museum, puts some kind of an item in front of the locked front gate, lights it on fire and takes off,” Libit said. 

The following arson and accidental fires have occurred in the last month:

• Sex offender said ‘Jesus chose him’ to set fire to LDS church in Mississippi, records say
• TX: North Richland Hills’ Gateway Church fire is the fourth church fire in a month
• MD: NR 8/1/24 Two-Alarm Fire Destroys Local Church; Investigation Into Cause Continues
• Pastor was inside North Texas Church when fire began, one firefighter injured while battling blaze
• IL: Fire damages Good Shepherd Church, school in Downers Grove: officials
• ATF joins investigation into four-alarm fire at historic First Baptist Dallas sanctuary
• Churches attacked with arson and bricks in New York
• NY: Man arrested for setting churches on fire in Broadalbin
• NY: Presbyterian church fire in Broadalbin deemed suspicious and Deputies seeking information after Broadalbin church fire
• KY: Pastor at NKY church damaged by arson attack says they knew alleged suspects and NKY church fire leads to 2 firefighters being arrested: Court docs
• AZ: Church arson defendant says gays and women must not be church leaders and Man accused of torching church with gay pastor tells jurors homosexuality is a sin

Analyst Comments:

The DAP regularly reports on arson fires involving houses of worship and their facilities.

Arson fires against houses of worship are a serious threat, but they usually take place at night when the buildings are empty. Fire as a weapon attacks usually occur when buildings are occupied and the attacker remains on the scene.  PBS reported that the 2008 Mumbai complex coordinated attack included fire as a weapon and killed 172 people.

Additionally, fire is regularly a part of violent protests, like the recent riots and disorder in the United Kingdom.

The following resources are available to Faith-Based Organizations:

• U.S. Fire Administration’s Protecting Houses of Worship Against Arson website.
• CISA provides a two-page Fire As A Weapon Action Guide.

The fence in front of the Jewish Museum of Maryland successfully prevented the arson fire from being started up against the building. Fences and the following protective measures can prevent and mitigate fire as a weapon attacks, arson, and accidental fires.

• Security begins in the parking lot.
• Install fencing and bollards.
• Keep doors and windows locked but ensure that all emergency exits are well marked and functioning.
• Install break resistant windows or protective covers over stained-glass windows.
• Illuminate exterior and entrances.
• Clear things like shrubbery that block the view of the building (also mitigates spread of fire).
• Secure flammable liquids and chemicals.
• Clean up – Remove anything that could fuel a fire.
• Keep dumpsters and recycling bins away from buildings.
• Protect the underside of buildings. Do not provide an edge that facilitates easy ignition.
• Bathrooms are leading area of origin for arson fires in occupied stores and offices.
• Report odd or suspicious activities to your local law enforcement.
• Communicate with local law enforcement about prevention methods.
• Follow all local building and fire codes and regulations.
• Install smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system.
• Buildings should have fire resistant exteriors.
• Maintain fire extinguishers and train staff to use them. Consider having larger extinguishers than those required by code.
• Clean up – Remove anything (including shrubbery) that could fuel a fire.
• Invite the Fire Department to evaluate and pre-plan your facilities.

DOJ: Assault of Congregants Outside a Washington D.C. Synagogue Charged as a Federal Hate Crime

A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Brent Wood, 35, of Toledo, Ohio, with three counts of obstructing by force or threat of force a person’s enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs, while using a dangerous weapon… The indictment alleges that on December 17, 2023, Wood drove a U-Haul truck around security barriers and parked on the sidewalk directly in front of Kesher Israel Congregation Synagogue, at 2801 N St NW, Washington, DC. Over the next several minutes, while in the immediate vicinity of the synagogue, Wood accosted congregants and others by spraying a noxious aerosol and yelling, “Gas the Jews!” 

Related Article:

• Fugitive Ohio man charged with federal hate crimes in aerosol attack outside DC synagogue

Analyst Comments:

This incident was highlighted in FB-ISAO’s 19 December 2023 Daily Awareness Post. ABC 7 News reported that Volunteers help stop attack at Georgetown synagogue using security training skills.

The above incident occurred at an FB-ISAO member’s house of worship. The member promptly shared information with the FB-ISAO team and on FB-ISAO Slack.

Working with the member organization, FB-ISAO published a detailed report which included a description of the incident, actions taken, and lessons learned.

FB-ISAO also hosted an incident review. The session was open to members of FB-ISAO.

In addition to the above activities, Members of the FB-ISAO have access to many additional resources. FB-ISAO produces timely alerts, including Bulletins, Pass Throughs from other security organizations, Daily Awareness Posts, Weekly Advisories, Weekly Scoops, Newsletters, and Announcements.

FB-ISAO also offers educational sessions and other activities to assist Faith-Based Organizations in preparedness and mitigation. 

If not already a member, consider joining here.