Pittsburgh Jewish community enhances security for high holidays
PITTSBURGH —
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is collaborating with local law enforcement and the FBI to strengthen security measures at synagogues and other community locations ahead of the Jewish high holidays, including Rosh Hashanah.
“Bringing awareness for our local police departments, making sure they know about the holidays and not just the holiday but pattern of life. What will you see? For Rosh Hashanah, it’s celebratory,” said Shawn A. Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
The federation is expanding security measures across the Jewish community in the Pittsburgh area, with plans that have been in development for months. Local police departments will rotate additional patrols near approximately 30 Jewish community locations, including the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.
State grant funding is supporting private contract security and off-duty police officers, according to Brokos, who spent nearly 25 years in the FBI. She emphasized the importance of awareness during the holiday season.
“There is a heightened threat environment, but we can be prepared; we can be empowered, so that’s what we do. We look at the positive. We focus on making our buildings as safe and secure as possible, but then we look at making sure the folks inside our building are well trained,” Brokos said.
The federation has allocated $450,000 for security this fiscal year, which includes grant funding. Brokos urged community members to remain vigilant while trusting the security measures in place.
The federation also advised that if anyone sees anything suspicious, especially during the holidays, they should call 911.