Police work to improve security at local synagogues

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Following a shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa. that killed 11 congregants, local rabbis met with elected and Nassau County police officials late last month to discuss security.

One of the rabbis in attendance was Steven Graber, the spiritual leader of Temple Hillel in South Valley Stream. He said that at his synagogue, administrators are “sitting down to discuss what can and should be done.”

Hillel already updates its security protocols every few years, Graber said, but added that he does not want to add security protocols that would make congregants feel unwelcome.

“It’s a shame that in America, any clergyman has to make such a statement, that we have to think of such a thing,” he said.

Immediately following the Oct. 27 shooting, the Nassau County Police Department also increased patrols around houses of worship, and officers were directed to visit any house of worship along their patrol routes, according to police officials.

“While there are currently no known imminent threats to Nassau County, we continue to work with federal, state and local officials to monitor this situation,” Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun said in a statement.

He added that the Police Department is implementing a new alert system, NCPD Alert, to notify local religious organizations of any significant local, national or world events that “concern the safety of our residents.”

Any religious facility that would like to have a security survey performed should email HSCTMembers@pdcn.org, and anyone who would like to enroll in NCPD Alert should email NCPDAlert@pdcn.org.

In addition, residents are encouraged to follow the Nassau County Police Department on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected to the Police Department.

“By working together, we can ensure that all of Nassau County’s religious communities stay safe,” LeBrun said.