First-of-its kind security network provides training, information for local Jewish agencies Leyna Krow • Assistant Editor, JTNews Posted: June 26, 2009 | |
Representatives from nine of the Seattle Jewish organizations that make up the SAFE Washington network gathered at Temple De Hirsch Sinai on Capitol Hill on the afternoon of June 10 to discuss a topic that was foremost in the minds of everyone present — security.
Earlier that day, an 88-year-old gunman had opened fire at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., killing a museum guard. This incident was not the impetus for the group's meeting, but it lent an immediacy to the day's discussion.
SAFE Washington is a community-wide communications and disaster response network, which began originally as a partnership between Temple De Hirsch Sinai and the Anti-Defamation League in response to the 2006 shooting at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. The Federation has since stepped in to help coordinate SAFE Washington's efforts, acting as a central contact point for all participating agencies.
SAFE Washington formally launched in September and coordinates safety plans and training classes for employees of Jewish facilities. SAFE also provides near real-time updates on developing security concerns on both the local and national level from safety information sharing service Northwest WARN.
According to Kim Greenhall, director of community services for the Jewish Federation, there are currently about 45 agencies signed up for SAFE Washington, and it's still growing.
"We got a number of calls after last week from others who want to join," she said. "The shooting at the Holocaust Museum is reminding people about this."
SAFE Washington partner institutions are assisted by Setracon, a Tacoma-based security company owned and operated by Jeff and Nancy Slotnick.
At the June 10 meeting, Jeff Slotnick offered his recommendations for how local organizations ought to respond to the shooting in Washington D.C. with regard to their own security interests.
"We are recommending a high state of vigilance for the next 24 hours or so," Skolnick said. "These lone wolf type incidents can be catalysts for others."
Slotnick also reviewed the steps employees should take if they see a suspicious person or object on the premises of their facility. He advised screening all visitors who come in, keeping an eye on parking lots for suspicious or unfamiliar vehicles and, if in doubt about a developing situation, to just go ahead and call the police.
"Law enforcement agrees that it's better for them to have to come out by mistake than for you to hesitate," he said.
The meeting also addressed the shooting at an army recruitment center in Arkansas a week earlier, as well as recommendations for dealing with the Westboro Baptist Church's protests, which took place at a number of local Jewish organizations June 13–15. The next meeting, which will be held in August, will be about keeping synagogues safe during the High Holidays.
According to Slotnick, SAFE Washington is the first safety network of its kind in the United States, although he noted that the model could easily be replicated by any micro-community.
Larry Broder, executive director for Temple De Hirsch Sinai added that, the more organizations that participate within the community, the stronger the network will become. Also, when incidents do occur, it is important for every agency that might be impacted to have the same information about what's going on.
"I can't stress how important it is for as many of us as possible to be involved in this," Broder said.
Slotnick added that all SAFE Washington partners were notified of the shooting at the Holocaust Museum within minutes of the incident.
"Had this been in the greater Seattle area, we could have had everyone locked down in the same amount of time," he said.
But the network isn't just about sharing information related to terrorism, Slotnick said. It's also a way to keep agencies informed in the event of natural disasters or other community-wide concerns.
In April, when worries about a Swine Flu Pandemic first emerged, SAFE Washington disseminated tips provided by Northwest WARN for avoiding infection and containing outbreaks to all participating agencies.
Of course, receiving information about possible threats is only a small part of both SAFE Washington and the overall safety of participating agencies. Ultimately, Slotnick insisted, organizations must remain responsible for their own safety and security by having clear security procedures in place and making sure staff know what steps to take in an emergency.
"We need to make sure our plans are in practice, not just in a folder on a desk," he said, "and it never hurts to do a drill every now and then."
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