There are no known credible threats to the Jewish community at this time although the Jewish high holidays do represent what may be considered a higher profile target for an attacker making synagogues and services more vulnerable. Organizations and institutions should work to proactively review, adapt, and implement security plans and procedures to protect staff, visitors, and facilities. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to follow established protocols for reporting suspicious activity, including contacting local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority and reporting to the Jewish Federation of Broward County, Office of Community Security. Leadership and security personnel are also encouraged to remain situationally aware and to proactively implement facility and security best practices that effectively address different areas of vulnerability and methods of attack.

Indicators of Suspicious Activity:

Law enforcement sources have identified a multitude of criminal and non-criminal activities which could indicate pre-operational planning associated with terrorism when supported by facts or circumstances that clearly support the determination that the behavior observed is not innocent. It is important to understand that these are not inherently criminal behaviors, may include constitutionally protected activity, and are being provided as a non-exhaustive list of activities that we encourage Jewish facilities and organizations to report as suspicious activity. These activities, which are relevant to the Jewish community and that would warrant suspicious activity reporting to law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious activity reporting authority, as well as to the Jewish Federation of Broward County, Office of Community Security. Please make sure that your ushers and security personnel are situationally aware and sensitive to the below-described behavior.

Defined Criminal Activity:

• Expressed or Implied Threat:  Communicating a spoken or written threat to commit a crime that will result in death or bodily injury to another person or persons or damage or compromise a facility or institution.

•  Cyberattack: Compromising or attempting to compromise or disrupt an organization’s information technology infrastructure.

•  Theft/Loss/Diversion:  Stealing or diverting something associated with a facility or institution (badges, uniforms, identification, technology, or documents), which are proprietary to the facility or institution.

•  Sabotage/Tampering/Vandalism: Damaging, manipulating, defacing, or destroying a part of a facility or institution.

•  Breach/Attempted Intrusion: Unauthorized personnel attempting to enter or entering a facility or institution, including a restricted area, securely protected site, or non-public area. Impersonation of authorized personnel.

•  Misrepresentation: Presenting false information or misusing insignia, documents, and/or identification to represent one’s affiliation as a means of concealing possible illegal activity

Potential Criminal or Non-Criminal Activity:

• Eliciting Information: Questioning individuals or otherwise soliciting information at a level beyond mere curiosity about a public or private event or particular facets of a facility’s or building’s purpose, operations, security procedures, etc., in a manner that would arouse suspicion of terrorism or other criminality in a reasonable person.

• Testing or Probing of Security: Deliberate interactions with, or challenges to, installations, personnel, or systems that reveal physical, personnel, or cybersecurity capabilities in a manner that would arouse suspicion of terrorism or other criminality in a reasonable person.

•  Photography: Taking pictures or videos of persons, facilities, buildings, or infrastructure in an unusual or surreptitious manner that would arouse suspicion of terrorism or other criminality in a reasonable person. Examples include taking pictures or video of infrequently used access points, personnel performing security functions (e.g., patrols, badge/vehicle checking), security-related equipment (e.g., perimeter fencing, security cameras), etc.

•  Observation / Surveillance: Demonstrating unusual or prolonged interest in facilities, buildings, or institutions beyond mere casual or professional interest and in a manner that would arouse suspicion of terrorism or other criminality in a reasonable person. Examples include observation through binoculars, taking notes, attempting to mark off or measure distances, etc.

Active Shooter Attacks: Security Awareness for Soft Targets and Crowded Places – DHS

Mass Gatherings: Take Charge of Your Personal Safety - DHS

Recognize the Signs of Terrorism-Related Suspicious Activity – DHS

The Office of Community Security Wishes you

A Happy & Safe New Year