Let's live our lives

Editorial

Don't buy duct tape. Don't buy plastic sheeting. That is, unless you are fixing the furnace or painting the guestroom.

And don't duck and cover.

Granted, the potential threat of chemical or biological warfare is terrifying, but the odds of such an attack striking our neighborhoods are remote.

That said, it makes sense to take basic measures to prepare for disaster, whether manmade or natural. The Homeland Security Web page (www.dhs.gov) instructs Americans to stockpile the following: a flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, and enough canned food and bottled water to last three days.

We should have these supplies on hand always - not in anticipation of chemical, bio-medical or dirty bomb attack - but for power outages, flooding or household accidents.

In addition to gathering basic emergency provisions, the Arizona Domestic Preparedness Command recommends that we be vigilant about possible terrorism indicators:

Be aware of actions that are possible "pre-incident indicators" - activities that precede terrorist attacks. Examples include: people parking, standing or loitering in the same area on consecutive days, for no apparent reason; individuals photographing or diagramming potential targets, such as municipal water plants, government buildings, tourist sites, houses of worship or Jewish community centers; people requesting donations to unfamiliar organizations.
Be concerned about vehicles bearing suspicious license plates, and about people who have recently purchased military, police or fire uniforms.
Observe, record and report the details of activities in our neighborhoods that seem out of the ordinary.

But the most important thing we can do is to live our lives, including our religious lives. We can continue to go to Shabbat worship services, work out at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus and attend community educational events.

We can do so knowing that our local Jewish organizations - day schools, synagogues, JCCs - are taking extra measures for our safety and protection. At communitywide events, such as the upcoming spring Israeli Independence Day celebration, extra security will be in place, both visible and undercover.

When we allow worry about worst-case scenarios to dictate how we manage our lives, the terrorists win.

If we have any questions, observations or reports, call the Phoenix Police, 602-262-6151; Scottsdale Police, 480-312-5000; or the Arizona Domestic Preparedness Command, 602-223-2680.

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