The FBI’s Newark office issued a stark warning Thursday as it announced it had received “credible information” about a nonspecific but widescale threat to synagogues in New Jersey.
The FBI described the threat as “broad.” However, a senior law enforcement official tells News 4 New York warning the public was done in “an abundance of caution.”
“We ask at this time that you take all security precautions to protect your community and facility,” FBI Newark tweeted in part. “We shall share more information as soon as we can. Stay alert. In case of emergency call police.”
Although there is no specific plot or action underway, according to sources, because the internet threat was deemed credible, the FBI felt it was important to alert the public via social media so communities and synagogues could take security precautions.
The FBI’s investigation is underway to determine who is behind this threat.
Following the FBI’s precautionary warning, Gov. Phil Murphy said he is “closely monitoring the situation and working with local law enforcement.”
In New York, the NYPD has been stepping up coverage at Jewish sites as well in response to the threat, a source in the NYPD tells COLlive.com.
“The NYPD is aware of an FBI Alert of “credible information” of a broad threat to synagogues in New Jersey,” the NYPD said in a Tweet. “In an abundance of caution, the NYPD’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureaus are working diligently alongside the Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI to ensure the safety and well-being of every area that encompasses our Jewish citizens and synagogues here in New York City and the tri-state area.”
PBBS is aware of the FBI alert of “credible information” of a broad threat to synagogues in NJ & in an abundance of caution, we will be increasing our presence at synagogues & other locations in the borough. https://t.co/uv27UV75bl
— NYPD Brooklyn South (@NYPDBklynSouth) November 3, 2022
The Orthodox Union was briefed about the matter and is advising synagogues in the area on how to increase their security, they said. This includes but is not limited to requesting a police presence and heightened awareness as communities approach the afternoon prayer service.
Nathan Diament, Executive Director for OU Advocacy, said:
“We have been briefed by the FBI about a threat to synagogues in the New Jersey area. We are calling on communities to have heightened awareness and to reach out to their local enforcement for security support. This matter is being investigated and we will continue updating.”
The FBI has received credible information of a broad threat to synagogues in NJ. We ask at this time that you take all security precautions to protect your community and facility. We will share more information as soon as we can. Stay alert. In case of emergency call police. pic.twitter.com/e64XSmQvNc
— FBI Newark (@FBINewark) November 3, 2022
