With the 12th Siyum Hashas just one week away, organizers of the massive event have stepped up efforts to ensure the highest standards of security in and around Metlife Stadium.
Agudath Israel of America has enlisted the assistance of Misaskim, which has years of experience coordinating security procedures at large community events. Representatives of both organizations have, over the last several months, participated in dozens of meetings with numerous law enforcement agencies, including the New Jersey State Police, counter terrorism units, federal and state intelligence agencies, New Jersey Transit Police, Joint Terrorism Task Force, FBI, CIA, Port Authority, and the New York State Police Department. Due to the highly unusual nature of the upcoming gathering, the Federal Department of Homeland Security has ranked the event a “#2” on a security-preparedness scale of 6-1, with #6 representing the least stringent level of security and #1 — generally reserved for events at which the President of the United States is present — representing the highest.
In addition to nearly 600 New Jersey State troopers – all of whom have undergone eight hours of cultural and hands- on training – more than 1,500 law-enforcement personnel from local, state and federal agencies have been assigned to the Siyum. Security personnel will also be stationed on the highways leading to MetLife Stadium, at bus departure points, and at rest areas along the way.
Every vehicle entering the perimeter of the arena will be “swept” by one of more than 60 teams of K-9 units that will be brought in for the event. Similar measures will be implemented on the trains entering and leaving the Secaucus hub on the day of the Siyum. In addition, police choppers have been assigned to provide air support and to monitor conditions on the roadways leading to the stadium.
More than 150 Hatzolah members have been assigned to work alongside the local emergency medical personnel at the stadium. Additional Hatzolah members will be stationed at the turnpike rest areas, should their assistance there become necessary.
While the arena typically gets “locked down” six hours prior to major events, for the Siyum it will be will be locked as of Sunday, July 29. Once locked down, the entire facility will be swept for hazardous materials twice daily; even incoming mail will be screened by the postal service at an offsite facility.
Many additional security measures are also being implemented behind the scenes. Federal law-enforcement agencies are monitoring worldwide activity to ensure the safety of participants coming into the event from countries outside the US.
Since every participant will be screened by a metal-detector wand before entering the building, it’s imperative to arrive well in advance of the program. The NJ Transit, the MTA and the Long Island Railroad are working hand-in-hand to coordinate their services to Siyum HaShas attendees. (The parking lots will be open early, and a pre-Siyum program has been planned.)
The many security and safety measures being implemented by Misaskim also include the setting up of large cooling centers, should such facilities become necessary.
As we prepare for the largest gathering of Jews in modern history, let us remember that although the Agudth Israel and Misaskim spent weeks working to ensure the safety of Siyum participants, security ultimately depends on the Ribbono Shel Olam … “Im Hashem loy yishmar ir shav shakad shomer.” TLS/Misaskim.
very impressive! G-D willing there will be no incidents.
the mishpacha had a nice article about it. most probably this article was extrapolated out of the mishpacha…..nothing wrong…. if i may add 😉
so who is paying for all of this security, this must be millions of dollars, is state or local agencies submitting the bills to the promotor of this event. I beleive security is required based on the world but this does not happen for other religious groups when they gather.
Great Job Misaskim, keep up all your good work! Your services should never be needed!
#3
Who paid for Obama’s security detail when he went to Aurora CO to comfort the families of those murdered. The security detail cost in the millions.
All the money being spent on this security is nothing compared to what would have to be spent if there was g-d forbid a terrorist attack. Thisnk of the millions that would have to be spent on Obama coming to comfort victims, of the investigation, etc.
Prevention is the cheapest way to go.
Misaskim a world class organization !!! this is besides the day to day operations assisting and servicing 100’s of greiving families , Kudos to all the wonderful volunteers !
To yid….. I agree about prevention but realistically he is the president of the United States of America and all of us in this country should not have an issue with that security detail but with that said …. how many times have you read posts on here that mention who paid for the police escort or security detail so its only right for people to want to know who is going to pay for this event
I hope you are paying for some of this , all you do is call the cops names
i think the practice the police are going to get, conducting such an event is well worth the expense. they will be playing with a lot of “toys” such as metal detectors, choppers, radiation detectors, etc,etc – and training is key.
if they are out there training as it is, whats the difference if they do it all in one day?
PLUS THIS MAKES A BOND BETWEEN THE STATE POLICE AND A COMMUNITY THAT ORDINARILY NEVER MAKES CONTACT WITH THE TROOPERS.
Can I get one of those K-9 thingys when the event is over?
For all of this to make happen, it cost a lot of money but the township better not complain that the overtime is out of control when you add police and EMS out fo these events. Its a benefit to have these people do this for us but when these departments do not have what is needed to hanlde the basic responses, how is it ok to spend tens of thousands as a joint training day or security protective.
if they do not have the supplies today, how will they have them for the event.
Just want to thank all of the folks from TLS and the community for their thoughts and prayers for the victims of Colorado.
Kudos to all the askanim. Hashem Yishmor Aleinu!
# 12 .
Yes keep our heads buried in the sand and say over and over it can’t happen here.
#3 the root real question is who is responsible when any big event happens? the pope, major concert, public protest, ????
To number 12 what are you talking about I never seen anything about it on here.
No need for all that added protection. After all your involved in a mitzvah. And everyone knows that mitzvos protect people from gettting hurt.