Security groups collaborate to improve safety of Jewish communal institutions
In an effort to substantially improve the safety and security of Jewish communal institutions across the greater New York area, the Community Security Initiative (CSI) and the Community Security Service (CSS) announced an operational partnership that will synchronize field operations, coordinate deployments of volunteers, share intelligence, and conduct both joint training and joint tabletop exercises. CSI is a joint initiative of UJA-Federation of New York and Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY).
The partnership was officially formalized in advance of the approaching High Holidays because Jewish institutions remain a significant target for acts of violence and hate crimes. Two recent law enforcement bulletins alerted communities to a significantly increased threat risk. The first, issued last month by the National Counterterrorism Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security, reinforced the persistent threat against Jewish communities. The second was an annual pre-High Holiday briefing by the N.Y.P.D.