On Wednesday, March 19 around 4:30 p.m., the driver of a 2018 silver/gray Toyota Camry, Massachusetts license plate 3ZBV-95, was observed taking pictures and/or video outside a synagogue in central Vermont.
A congregant observed the suspicious behavior, took the photo you see below, and informed synagogue leadership, who immediately contacted the police and advised CSI. The vehicle is registered in Boston, and the police have identified the owner.
At this time, we do not know the motivation of the driver — why he was at the location, or why he appeared to be taking pictures and/or video from his vehicle. Law enforcement is actively searching for the vehicle to interview the driver and/or owner.
Silver Toyota Camry, Massachusetts registration 3ZBV-95
The observed behavior is a cause for concern — especiallyin the current threat environment — even though reports indicate that the individual did not make threats nor engage in illegal activity.
Action steps
Please email, print, and distribute this notice to your organization’s security officers, police details, staff, and volunteer greeters for their awareness
If the vehicle is observed, please dial 911 immediately, and advise the dispatcher that the vehicle is the subject of a New England wide law enforcement notice (BOLO)
Please review your camera systems to determine if the vehicle has been seen at your facility
Please advise CSI of date and time of any of the above so CSI can inform law enforcement partners
Please review security policies and procedures with all staff and lay leaders and remind them that if they encounter anything suspicious or concerning, they should dial 911 immediately and then inform leadership at your institution
Threat environment
We are operating in a higher threat environment that is likely to continue for an extended period, and there may be more concerning security incidents in the United States and across the globe.
The current situation in the Middle East, Iran, Israel, U.S. politics, and social media have increased antisemitic tensions which could fuel an incident where there is little or no advance warning. Preparation is key. Learn more and watch CSI’s Special Security Briefing from earlier this week for additional information from security experts along with representatives from state and federal law enforcement.
At this time, the consensus among federal agencies and Jewish security professionals is to proceed with our events and not cancel planned activities, whether that is preschool or day school attendance, Shabbat services, or Passover observances and events.
CSI is in constant communication with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, who advise that they do not possess information about a specific, imminent credible threat to the Jewish community (or interfaith religious community) in New England.
CSI works to improve our communal security in a sustainable, holistic, long-term manner in the face of increased security threats.
Verify security information
It is critical to understand that there are rumors, misinformation, disinformation, and speculation mixed with facts online and in the media. Please do not contribute to the confusion. Please refrain from sharing unverified information.
Organizations should:
Increase vigilance
Increase security when warranted
Notify law enforcement of large gatherings and Shabbat services
Review and update security plans
Additional actions
Consider increasing security for large and/or public events, including hiring a police detail or professional security officers from a trusted company. Please see event planning steps on our resource page.
Report all threatening, concerning, or unusual communications to your local police department
Do not delete, respond to, or forward threatening, concerning, or unusual communications
For online or hybrid programming, consider Protect Zoom or livestream feeds with passwords and avoid sharing links publicly
Contact your assigned CSI Regional Security Advisor (RSA) for support or questions relating to institutional security planning and actions. If you are not sure which RSA is assigned to your organization, please contact us at CommunalSecurity@cjp.org.
The CSI resource page includes information on event planning, bomb threats, Swatting, and many other items.
Please continue to partner with us on our shared work to improve safety and security at individual institutions and throughout our community.
