WHAT
IS THE INCIDENT REPORTING FORM (IRF)?
The
IRF is a standardized online form the public can use to report threats,
incidents, or suspicious activity related to Jewish organizations, facilities,
or community members.
The
IRF is a key component of the partnership that exists between Federations and
the Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security
organization for the Jewish community in North America. The use of the form
ensures a coordinated, best-practice approach to incident reporting and
follow-up.
WHY
IS THE IRF NECESSARY?
The
Jewish community is facing the most complex and dynamic threat environment in
modern history. Each year, SCN receives reports of or identifies a record
number of threats. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
nearly
two-thirds of religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S. target the Jewish
community. Consistent and coordinated reporting of threats, incidents, and
suspicious activity is a critical part of the security shield SCN is working
with Federations and other partners to build over the Jewish community in North
America.
HOW
WAS THE IRF DEVELOPED?
The
IRF was developed following an extensive review of suspicious activity
reporting forms, and coordination with
security
professionals and partners in law enforcement and homeland security.
WHAT
INFORMATION CAN BE REPORTED THROUGH THE IRF?
The
IRF can be used to report:
• In-person
assaults or threats
• Suspicious
persons or activity
• Property
damage or vandalism
• Threatening
or suspicious phone calls, text messages, or social media
• Suspicious
packages or letters
• Spam
and phishing emails
• Antisemitic or threatening flyers
• Other
incidents of concern to the Jewish community
WHAT
HAPPENS TO THE INFORMATION REPORTED THROUGH THE IRF?
Information
submitted through the form will go directly to the Federation’s security
professional. A copy will also go to the 24-hour Duty Desk in SCN’s National
Jewish Security Operations Command Center, where it is reviewed by intelligence
analysts using best practices. The SCN Duty Desk will be available to assist
and support the locally or regionally based security professional, and the
Federation, including determining what people or facilities may be at risk
while protecting the civil liberties of all parties. Credible threats are
referred to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and Jewish
facility leaders as needed.
CAN
INFORMATION BE REPORTED ANONYMOUSLY?
Yes.
Although information can be reported anonymously, contact information is very
helpful to analysts or law enforcement officers
to ask for additional information or clarification.
DOES
THE FORM REPLACE BEING ABLE TO CALL OR EMAIL A LOCAL SECURITY PROFESSIONAL?
No.
The Incident Reporting Form does not replace the ability for anyone to contact
a local security professional directly using whatever methods of contact they
have already established, or to call the Duty Desk at 844-SCN-DESK.
The new form provides an enhanced ability to support the security professional
with a 24/7 capability, allows the security professional to collect specific information, and for SCN’s national team to
ensure information is properly passed to key federal partners.
WHAT
OTHER TYPES OF ONLINE REPORTING DOES SCN PROVIDE?
The
IRF is also available on SCN’s website at securecommunitynetwork.org for
threats, incidents, or suspicious
activity
in areas not served by Federations that use the IRF. SCN partners with Hillel
International and ADL to provide ReportCampusHate.org for
concerns related to colleges and universities, and partners with the Orthodox
Union to provide OU.org/ReportHate for concerns related to the
Orthodox Jewish community.
HOW
ELSE CAN THREATS, INCIDENTS, OR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY BE REPORTED IF ONLINE
REPORTING IS NOT AVAILABLE?
In an emergency, always call 9-1-1 first. If online reporting is
not practical, follow established protocols to report suspicious activity
– to include contacting local law enforcement and/or the relevant suspicious
activity reporting authority – and contact
the SCN Duty Desk at dutydesk@securecommunitynetwork.org or
by calling 844-SCN-DESK.