Just two days after the worst anti-Semitic attack in US history stunned the nation, Lakewood Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller and Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein hosted an emergency forum at the Township’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) headquarters to discuss Lakewood’s security concerns and boost interagency cooperation.

High ranking officials from an array of state, county and local law enforcement agencies, as well as independent hate monitoring organizations, were in the room – candidly discussing the threat level in the Lakewood region and the best course to protect residents’ safety. Participants included NJ Homeland Security & Preparedness officials John Paige and Izzy Chaudry, New Jersey State Police Operations Officer Lieutenant Doug Lemanowicz, Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer, Lakewood Police Chief Greg Meyer, retired Chief Rob Lawson and Alex Rosemberg, Associate Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of New York and New Jersey, among others.

Deputy Mayor Miller and Committeeman Lichtenstein opened the conversation, noting Lakewood’s unique position as one of the largest and fastest growing Jewish communities in the US, with hundreds of synagogues and other religious institutions. The officials discussed the behind-the-scenes protocols and interagency cooperation to protect the community, as well the responsibility for locals to remain vigilant and “See something. Say something.” Lieutenant Lemanowicz stressed that law enforcement can never detect all threats on their own, despite their best efforts. Their activties are highly dependent on intelligence gleaned from citizens on the ground.

Although Lakewood’s risks and vulnerabilities are real – and the agencies have substantially raised their vigilance and patrols – Homeland Security official Chaudry noted that the Pittsburgh perpetrator acted alone and is unrelated to any potential threats in New Jersey. Still, Homeland Security has found that the white nationalism and other far-right ideologies that the shooter was influenced by are clearly on the rise in New Jersey and across the country. For instance, the neo-Nazi hate group Identity Evropa has become increasingly prevalent, especially on college campuses. Chaudry urged religious institutions to use Homeland Security’s self-assessment tool to identify the unique threats facing a particular shul or school, and to take appropriate corrective action. He detailed the process how potential threats are assessed, Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are created, and response plans are crafted and implemented.

Lieutenant Lemanowicz assured those gathered that state authorities are stepping up their operations as well. The State Police presence, both overt and covert, around sensitive infrastructure and minority communities has been increased. Troopers have been briefed on threat levels and responses to potential incidents. Prosecutor Billhimer and Sherriff Mastronardy said they were working together on the County level, though they also stressed that there is currently no specific credible threat. New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal – the first Sikh to occupy that office – has taken a keen interest in protecting the state’s minorities from hate and violence, and is in constant contact with the Sheriffs and Prosecutors regarding the realities on the ground.

The officials discussed the suggestion by dozens in the in the Lakewood community and beyond, for shul members to carry firearms. Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Meyer explained the impracticality of having an untrained individual taking on an attacker. They suggested hiring private security as a more viable option. Mr. Chaudry mentioned two grants, one from NJ’s Homeland Security agency, and another from FEMA, amounting to a combined $9.6 million, that are available to New Jersey institutions for funding security at buildings and large gatherings.

As the meeting progressed, news broke of the discovery of a doll dressed in a school uniform with a knife through its head found near a Lakewood school. The officials immediately launched a comprehensive investigation, which has a tentatively concluded that the incident was not a threat. This swift action and interagency cooperation highlighted the importance of the summit and the various behind-the-scenes security assessments and operations that will follow.

Following the conference, Deputy Mayor Miller said, “We would like to thank all the officials who participated in the summit, who came despite very short notice and have been exceptionally helpful to Lakewood’s security needs. The safety of our families is our foremost priority, and we daven for continued Heavenly protection as we do everything in our power to keep Lakewood safe.”