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A suspicious package was found outside a synagogue in Montgomery County. Police were called to investigate. The package was a cardboard box labled Hatfield Bacon Strips. The box was examined by investigators and was determined to be bacon strips just as the box indicated.  It is unknown if this was accidental, a prank, or a precursor to something more significant. The investigation is continuing. This has been sent to keep the greater Jewish community informed and to remind organizations to remain vigilant in the awareness of suspicious situations and packages.

We are in touch with local law enforcement and will send updates and further information, should it become available. As always, please let us know whenever you have a security alert so we can keep the community informed. Thank you! 

Information on suspicious behavior, what to do if you are concerned about suspicious behavior, and general security precautions all Jewish institutions should take are below. As always, please contact the Rabbi Sarah Meytin at smeytin@jcouncil.orgor 301-770-0881 if you need a referral for conducing a security assessment of your organization or if any threatening incidents occur. Please call 911 for any immenent threats.

(1) Suspicious behavior may include
1. Alone, nervous, agitated.
2. Secretive, furtive behavior.
3. Unusual behavior, such as staring at and quickly looking away from personnel bserving them
4. People standing in public or customer service areas, but not requesting service.
5. A person leaving a package or knapsack behind as they exit public transportation or crowded area.
6. Unusual interest in security measures, equipment and/or pedestrian traffic flow.
7. An unidentified individual asking questions that pertain to facility infrastructure and security measures, in person or on the phone
8. Unexpected deliveries or services.
9. Activity not consistent with location or task being conducted.
10. Loose or bulky clothing not suited to current weather conditions.
11. Unattended packages, briefcases, and other items.
12. Unusual accessories not fitting in with the area or the individual (e.g., baby strollers, shopping carts, backpacks, delivery bicycles with storage compartments, ice cream carts).
13. Equipment not consistent with commonly seen items within the area (e.g., Global Positioning Satellite devices, movie and still cameras, voice recording, sketching tools).
14. Rigid, stiff midsection (indicative of concealed explosives or weapons).
15. Exposed wires or switches.
16. Hands not visible or tightly held.
17. The deliberate, cautious actions of a person handling packages, backpacks or baggage.
18. Individuals not fitting into the surrounding environment (e.g., individual wearing a winter coat in summer, a backpack, a large duffle bag, suitcase).
19. Individuals observing reaction drills, procedures, response times, and security equipment.
20. Illegally parked vehicles in and around your facility.
21. Individuals working in pairs or groups who appear near same location on multiple occasions.
22. An individual may create a scene to distract security personnel while the accomplice attempts to enter the facility.
23. Individuals conveniently getting lost or disoriented while visiting your facility.
24. Unannounced and/or unauthorized maintenance work.
25. Persons or vehicles seen in the same location on multiple occasions; an individual sitting in a parked vehicle for an extended period of time.
26. Individuals disguised as panhandlers, shoe shiners, newspaper, and food or flower vendors, not acting consistent with their tasks.
27. Individuals who do not work, have business, or belong in their current area, attempting to befriend someone to obtain sensitive information or attempting to blend in.
28. An unknown individual hands you a parcel or letter for deliver to a building or for the mail.
29. Persons observing (testing) your emergency response to abandon packages, suspicious activity, criminal activity and/or motor vehicle accidents.
30. Persons observing your emergency evacuation drills and or assembly areas.
31. Individuals who appear to be conducting surveillance (e.g., explicit or discreet use of picture taking, video cameras, cell-phone cameras, binoculars, note taking, and/or sketching) of your facility.
32. First responder vehicles or trucks being stored in unusual locations.
33. First responders who do not appear to fit in or know what to do.

(2) What to do if you are concerned about suspicious behavior
1. If you suspect malicious surveillance, you should carefully and covertly monitor it and report this information immediately to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
2. Try to remember as much as possible about the individual conducting the surveillance, his or her clothing, personal identifying characteristics, their points of interest, vehicle information, and possible accomplices. It is recommended that once you have completed your observation, you retreat to a location several blocks away from the targeted location to meet with authorities. Avoid causing undue attention; never arouse interest in yourself from a possible adversary.

(3) General security precautions to take
1. Appoint a Security Coordinator (and an alternate if a large center) to serve as a SECURITY Liaison.
2. Initiate and maintain contact with JCRC and share any concerns to threat information you haave.
3. Notify JCRC at 301-770-0881 or smeytin@jcouncil.orgor rhalber@jcouncil.orgof any unusual activities or incidents as soon as possible. Call 911 for emergencies or imminent threats.
4. Maintain updated employee lists (name, address, phone/cell phone), and keep back-up copy offsite
5. Distribute a simple, straightforward security policy statement (if one already exists issue a reinforcement statement), prepared by the organization’s senior management, that informs all employees and tenants that security is a shared responsibility and serves as the foundation for issuance of security procedures.
6. Monitor performance of security duties such as the control of building entrances; regulation and monitoring of lobby pedestrian traffic; patrol and checks of the building and perimeter before closing and upon opening; inspection of incoming material and personnel; safety inspection of facilities and resources; and, in conjunction with the facility manager, appropriate response to special situations and security activities.
7. 100% ID check along with escorted visitor policy. Additionally it is recommended that scheduled appointments be document and shared with security to monitor access. Require all visitors to sign a visitor log and to be escorted at all times.
8. Keep access points to a minimum. Restrict all visitors to building lobbies unless escorted by an authorized employee or tenant.
9. Subject to emergency exit safety requirements, lock all outside doors and/or prohibit doors from being propped open
10. Keep public areas tidy and well-lit, remove unnecessary furniture, and keep garden areas clear.
11. Where possible, do not allow unauthorized vehicles to get close to your building.
12. Keep publicly accessible restroom doors locked, and establish a formal key control system using hardware of recognized quality. When combination locks are used, authorized employees should unlock doors for visitors.
13. Pay close attention to access control at loading and unloading areas.
14. Institute a system of employee, VISITOR and contractor ID badges, and train employees to challenge persons who are not wearing badges. LOST badges and ID’s must be reported immediately.
15. Establish a system for determining which cars, trucks, and other vehicles may enter the site; which gates, docks, or other entrances they may use; and under what conditions.
16. Shut-off points of processing area's ventilation system should be mapped and should be part of an emergency procedures handout.
17. Examine your mail-handling procedures and consider establishing a mailroom away from your main premises.

Prepared in consultation with Larry Bachman, Security Director, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington

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