The reports of a second parcel bomb in Europe raises obvious concerns. Organizations should be reviewing their mail handling procedures. See the links on the previous blog posting or at the JCRC Security Resources page.
Explosive Device Sent to Bank CEO
The NYPD confirmed that a mail (package) explosive device was addressed and sent to CEO, Dr. Joseph Ackermann of Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt, Germany. The package was detected by x-ray technology inside the mail room. The package did not detonate.
An investigation is ongoing.We suggest that you review our previous posts:Rethinking mail screening and More tips for package screening. You can also download Guidelines for Suspicious Mail or Packages, Informational Bulletin on Suspicious Envelopes and Suspicious Package indicators.
The NYPD SHIELD unit advises that all mail room employees become aware of this information and pay special attention to incoming deliveries.
Hate crime reports released
2010 FBI Report Released/ADL studies
Intimidation…vandalism…assault…rape…murder. These are crimes by anyone’s definition. But add an element of bias against the victims—because of their race or religion, for example—and these traditional crimes become hate crimes. And based on data from the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics report for 2010, the 6,628 hate crime incidents reported to us by our law enforcement partners stayed consistent with the 6,604 incidents reported in 2009.
The ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents cataloged 1,239 examples of assaults, vandalism and harrassment in 2010. Its 2011 Survey of American Attitudes Toward Jews in America found that anti-Semitic attitudes are rising in the US.
Shocking arson in Flatbush
Statement of
Michael S. Miller
Executive Vice President and CEO
We were shocked to learn of the horrific arson of cars — with accompanying anti-Semitic messages — on Ocean Parkway in Flatbush. We are gratified that the precinct and the Hate Crimes Task Force are investigating and are confident that the NYPD will follow the evidence wherever it leads.
The track record of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force was further enhanced today as they arrested a suspect accused of defacing two Queens libraries, a synagogue and a church. We congratulate them on their success. Anyone contemplating a hate crime in New York City should think twice when the Hate Crimes Task Force is on the case.
Airport x-rays, new technology
Update (Aug. 6, 2012) : See New York Times, X-Ray Scans at Airports Leave Lingering Worries
So-called backscatter X-ray scanners are in use at 36 airports in the United States, and questions persist about their safety.
The JCRC was invited by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) to join a group of religious leaders to critique the implementation of the airport passenger screening process. Leaders of many faiths expressed concerns regarding modesty and safety. Today, TSA officials reached out to us to update us on pertinent developments.
The TSA is in the process of introducing new Advanced Imaging Technology which will substantially address the questions of modesty. Any potential threat items that are detected are detected by an automated system and indicated on a generic outline of a person (rather than the passenger’s body). If no potential threat items are detected, an “OK” appears on the monitor with no outline.(See the illustrations below.)
Click here to can get more information on the new system. Deployment of the new technology is not yet scheduled for the major NYC area, but the TSA plans to eventually install it everywhere.
The backscatter technology used in the system was evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). All reported that it is safe and meets national health and safety standards. Click here to read more and download the evaluations.
They also informed us of new Risk-Based Security and Pre-Check pilot programs which will allow passengers to voluntarily provide more information about themselves, so that the TSA can better segment the population in terms of risk and provide expedited screening for “trusted travelers”. See more information here.
Get more information to secure your Jewish institution at www.jcrcny.org/security.![]()
On Nov. 9th remember: it’s only a test
FEMA wants everyone to know about the upcoming, nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test on Wednesday, November 9th at 2PM.All broadcast stations are scheduled to participate. Although the EAS is frequently used by State and local governments to send weather alerts and other emergency information, there has never been a national activation of the system. The purpose of the November 9, 2011 test is to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system.
Click here for more information from FEMA. Please share this message with your communities and through your social networks.
Sukkoth+wind swept heavy rains=flying debris
The National Weather Service predicts 1-1.5 inches of rain will fall today with winds from 15-20 mph, accompanied by gusts to 30 mph along the coast. Stronger wind is expected Thursday as the system exits the area.
The New York City Office of Emergency Management notes that there is a risk that Sukkoth may be compromised. Individuals and organizations to take the needed steps to secure outdoor objects, including Sukkoth that could blow away and cause damage or injury.
Less than a month left to apply/register for FEMA assistance
FEMA and NY State offer various grants and loans for victims of Irene. Damages and repairs not covered by insurance may be eligible for grants or loans through FEMA. If your insurance carrier has denied your claim or the settlement does not adequately cover your costs, we advise you to register before October 31st. If you are not registered by that date FEMA won’t be able to help.
Individuals, homeowners, renters and small businesses. To learn about the process, including links and phone numbers, click on the link to read the JCRC overview and instructions for individuals, homeowners, renters and small businesses here. Applicants must register by October 31st.
Not-for-profits. Not-for profits may access SBA loans, but there is a separate program for certain not-for-profit organizations with an October 28th deadline. Click on this link to view the JCRC not-for-profit overview and instructions.
Q&A. A new resource, Commonly Asked Questions About Disaster Aid, was just published by FEMA. See it here.
Disaster Recovery Centers, Online and phone contacts. As time passes, FEMA is closing Disaster Recovery Centers. Check online for the latest list of open centers and their hours here. You can also register online at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
Assistance for Irene’s damage
In the wake of Hurricane Irene, individual assistance is available for homeowners, renters and small businesses in Bronx, Kings, Queens and Richmond counties. In addition, public assistance is available for NYC agencies and eligible Private Not for Profits (PNPs) that sustained damage or have response/recovery costs associated with Hurricane Irene (DR 4020) in all 5 boroughs.
Residents and small businesses in a total of 27 counties are now eligible to apply for the following assistance: the Individuals and Households Program, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, USDA food coupons and distribution, USDA food commodities, Disaster Legal Services, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Small Business Administration disaster loans.
The counties currently eligible for individual assistance (assistance to individuals and households) are as follows: Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Clinton, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Washington and Westchester counties.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
Public Assistance
On August 31, 2011, New York City received a Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Irene (DR 4020). All five NYC counties were included in the declaration. The next step will be an Applicant’s Briefing for all NYC agencies and eligible Private Not for Profits (PNPs) that sustained damage or have response/recovery costs associated with the event. In the past, yeshivot, day schools, hospitals and other quasi-governmental organizations were eligible.
The Applicant Briefings for New York City will take place on:
NYC Office of Emergency Management
There will be two sessions
Residents and small businesses in a total of 27 counties are now eligible to apply for the following assistance: the Individuals and Households Program, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, USDA food coupons and distribution, USDA food commodities, Disaster Legal Services, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Small Business Administration disaster loans.
The counties currently eligible for individual assistance (assistance to individuals and households) are as follows: Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Clinton, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Kings, Montgomery, Nassau, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren, Washington and Westchester counties.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
Public Assistance
On August 31, 2011, New York City received a Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Irene (DR 4020). All five NYC counties were included in the declaration. The next step will be an Applicant’s Briefing for all NYC agencies and eligible Private Not for Profits (PNPs) that sustained damage or have response/recovery costs associated with the event. In the past, yeshivot, day schools, hospitals and other quasi-governmental organizations were eligible.
The Applicant Briefings for New York City will take place on:
Friday September 16th, 2011
NYC Office of Emergency Management
165 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn
There will be two sessions
10:00am – 12:00pm
1:00pm – 3:00pm
The briefing will go over eligibility for applicants, facilities, types of work and costs.
A representative from each agency should attend one of the briefings
To RSVP, email Mariel Diaz (mdiaz@oem.nyc.gov) with the name (and session time) of each individual who will be attending
Following is a link to the form: “Request for Public Assistance”: If possible please fill in the point of contact info and bring to the Applicant Briefing (each city agency will be an individual “applicant.”) While applicants have 30 days to submit this form, FEMA would like to collect as many as possible up front.
After the Applicant Briefing, FEMA will contact each applicant to schedule a Kickoff Meeting. This meeting is where FEMA will begin to work directly with that agency to identify damages and write up project worksheets to cover actual costs. FEMA gives applicants 60 days from the kickoff meeting to identify all potential costs; however, the more prepared you are to present actual costs with supporting documentation the quicker and easier it will be.
9/11 Anniversary Threat
For weeks counterterrorism officials have spoken of the possibility of a terrorist incident coinciding with 9/11. Tonight, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, Matt Chandler, called the threat “specific, credible, but unconfirmed.” Another official said American intelligence agencies were urgently pursuing leads overseas in an effort to gauge the seriousness of the threat.
Our sources have speculated about the nature of the threat, but there is no information that Jewish communal institutions will be targeted. However, the overlap of the 9/11 anniversary events with Sabbath services lead us to suggest heightened vigilance throughout the weekend.
For specific security suggestions:
- view our High Holiday Security Webinar at: https://connect.hsin.gov/p34055704/
- Download the High Holiday Security Thinkplate®: 2011
- Visit JCRC-NY’s Security Resources website at: www.jcrcyny.org/securityresources and subscribe to JCRC-NY’s Security Blog at:www.jcrcny.org/securityblog.
- “Emergency Planning: Disaster and Crisis Response Systems for Jewish Organizations” published by Jewish Federations of North America, written by John Jay College of Criminal Justice and JCRC-NY
- JCRC-NY Emergency and Security Planning for the High Holidays (PDF) The High Holidays are a special challenge for synagogues. Find tips for security and emergency planning here.
- “Tips on detecting hostile surveillance” (PDF) Paul DeMatties, Senior Advisor on Corporate Security Programs and Director of the Counter-Terrorism Assessment Program, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- JCRC-NY’s Sample Building Access Policies and Procedures (PDF) Learn how to balance the goals of having your institution be both welcoming and secure.
- “Access control considerations during high holiday services” (PDF) Dov Horwitz, Security Specialist, JCRC-NY
- ADL Security for the High Holy Days and Other Special Events (PDF)
We lost the part of our video where our presenters were introduced. Below please find some biographical information for them.
David Pollock is the associate executive director and Director of Government relations of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC). Mr. Pollock articulates Jewish communal concerns regarding community relations issues to federal, state and city officials. He is the liaison for the Jewish community with law enforcement officials and active in the development of security, emergency planning and community relations for the Jewish community.
Paul DeMatteis is the Senior Advisor on Corporate Security Programs and the Director of the Vulnerability Assessment Program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice here in New York. Paul has supervised over 300 Terrorism Vulnerability Assessments of Jewish organizations. He is a professional’s professional.
Douglas Andrew Smith is the Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector of the Department of Homeland Security. He is the key advisor to DHS Sec’y Janet Napolitano on how DHS policies affect private companies and the not-for-profit sector. Asst Sec’y Smith is our voice at DHS. We are fortunate to have him. Jarrod Bernstein is traveling with Sec’y Napolitano. Latest round of NSGP grants just released. Thank the Sec’y.
Mordecai Dzikansky retired from the NYPD. He spent five years as the NYPD liaison with the Israel National Police and Security forces, bringing Israeli counterterrorism tactics to NYC. He is the author of “Terrorist Cop” and the co-author of “Terrorist Suicide Bombings: Attack Interdiction, Mitigation, and Response”, which will be released in October.