Rockland County, NY - Sheriff Gives Jewish Leaders Safety Tips

Rockland County, NY - The Rockland County Sheriff's Department spoke to Jewish leaders and offered safety tips for their synagogues and schools.

In a meeting Sheriff James Kralik urged the Jewish community to enhance security in light of the Middle East conflict as well as national and local anti-Semitic incidents.
Though emergency responders are taking a proactive approach with counterterrorism efforts, he said, religious leaders should also increase security measures. "We need them to do more, to partner with us," he said. "We need them to be concerned with the safety of their congregation."
Synagogues were urged to create their own security plans; have short, fast and direct evacuation plans; do planning, preparation and training for evacuation; and maintain up-to-date alarm systems.

Simcha Herbstman, president of the Spring Valley Yeshiva, said the school spent more than $100,000 to increase security.
In light of a Seattle shooting - in which six people were shot, one fatally, at the Jewish Federation offices - the school is not taking any chances, Herbstman said. "It can happen here," he said. "We're given the responsibility to protect our kids, and the first priority is safety."