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November 2, 2001/Cheshvan 16, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 8
Efforts underway to improve safety
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Work is underway to educate Jewish organizations about safety and security and also to set up a community advisory panel where issues and information can be shared.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix invited representatives of Jewish organizations to meet Oct. 23 with a panel of experts from the Phoenix City Police Department and the Anti-Defamation League.
"Our goal was to educate those who were not aware of procedures in place around security and to serve as a refresher course for those who are aware," said Cathy Wolf, JCRC director. The event was aimed at groups with local facilities, she added.
Security concerns have loomed large for many American institutions in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The 18 people attending included representatives from the Valley of the Sun and the Tri-City Jewish Community Center, Israel Bonds, Temple Solel of Paradise Valley and Temple Beth Shalom of Sun City.
"I'm responsible to the congregation to use some form of security relevant to the situation going on," said Sonia Karp, president of Temple Beth Shalom. Karp said she has appointed a chairman of security for the synagogue and will meet with him later this week to share what she learned at the meeting.
In the coming days, Wolf said, the JCRC intends to organize a community advisory committee, comprised of leaders from various Jewish organizations. It would meet quarterly, deal with any relevant issues including security, and work in association with the City of Phoenix Police Community Relations Bureau.
The panel at the Oct. 23 meeting included Detective Sebon White, from the community relations bureau; Detective Albert Ramirez, who has experience with the Phoenix police department's bias crimes unit; and Bill Straus, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.
Originally, the panel was to include representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Phoenix police bomb squad and the Police Fire Department biohazard unit, said Wolf. However, preparation for the World Series games Oct. 27 and 28 at Bank One Ballpark took precedence, and they could not attend, she explained.
Panelists presented information about safety and security in the Valley, said Wolf.
Ramirez assured participants that bias crimes continue to exist, "especially since Sept. 11."
"A segment of the population is targeted - innocents - for their appearance or dress," he said. "We need to step back and not automatically assume someone wearing a turban or looking Middle Eastern is a terrorist."
Straus presented "10 common-sense suggestions" to help organizations increase levels of awareness and security," he said. "Look for and act upon things that are out of the ordinary. An example deals with mail service. If an organization has the same United Parcel Service delivery person and the same replacement, and then a new delivery person arrives who is unfamiliar, be aware of the situation, Straus explained.
"Enlist people in your protective web," he added. This includes talking to building management about "needs and fears" and developing a relationship with the detectives at the local police precinct, he said.
"In addition, sit down and draft a strategy for every contingency you can think of," and devise response strategies, said Straus.
Karp plans to use panelists' advice to set up an evacuation plan for worship services and to make sure the emergency exits work.
"Remember, we have a number of walkers and wheelchairs and need to devise a strategy (for evacuation)," she said.
The temple building has a security alarm. During worship services, an usher remains at the door and a welcoming committee identifies all newcomers.
In addition, the synagogue has set up a relationship with the local "posse," unpaid volunteers who have "a direct line" to the local sheriff, she said.
David Brook, executive director of Beth El Congregation of Phoenix, said he did not attend the Oct. 23 meeting because the synagogue "can't do more than we have already done (with security)."
The congregation already keeps in touch with White and with other representatives of the Phoenix Police Department, he said.
In the aftermath of the Buford O'Neal Furrow shooting Aug. 10, 2000, at the North Valley Jewish Community Center near Los Angeles, "Beth El has taken security measures above and beyond," said Brook. This included installing cameras at the front doors of the main building and the school building and a system to "lock down" access to both buildings with the "push of a button," he explained.
Also, Brook said the executive directors of several Valley synagogues - Temple Solel, Temple Kol Ami of Scottsdale, Temple Beth Israel of Scottsdale, Har Zion Congregation of Scottsdale, Temple Chai of Phoenix and Temple Emanuel of Tempe - meet regularly and share information concerning security.
Wolf hopes that the JCRC's community advisory committee will be a platform to share information to improve security in the Jewish community's organizations.
"Right now, everyone has additional concerns about safety. Organizations need to be aware and educated," she said.
Straus said information about security is vital. "We are not trying to panic people, but to inform them."
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