Department taking precautions around synagogues, mosques
BY JEREMY GORNER, CARLOS SADOVI AND BECKY SCHLIKERMAN
Chicago Tribune
Updated: 05-3-2011 7:38 am
May 02--Chicago police say they are keeping an eye on religious institutions as a precaution in the wake of Osama bin Laden's death at the hands of U.S. special forces.
The department has not issued a heightened alert, but officers are paying closer attention to mosques and synagogues, particularly in the Rogers Park and West Rogers Park neighborhoods, areas that have large Jewish and Muslim communities, officials said this morning.
The actions are being taken as a precaution and "there is no known terrorist threat in the city of Chicago," said Roderick Drew, spokesman for the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
Some Chicago synagogues said they're not enhancing security because they're always on high alert.
"The reality is that because of Osama bin Laden and other terrorists. . .we have been instituting additional security for a very long time," said Rabbi Leonard Matanky, of Congregation KINS in West Rogers Park.
"They forced us 10 years ago to ... increase security and to do things we never thought we'd need to do," said Matanky, who is also the dean of the Ida Crown Jewish Academy, also in West Rogers Park.
But Matanky said the congregation and school are more vigilant today and relying on police, who are keeping an eye on the neighborhood.
"I know the Chicago police have done a great job in the past any time there are more threats for the Jews or anyone," said Koppel Schwarcz, an employee in charge of security at Congregation Chesed L'Avrohom in the West Rogers Park neighborhood. He said there are no additional security measures in place today.
"We're not doing anything specifically right now," he said. "All our specifics are made for these kinds of thing."
In the wake of 9/11, many synagogues installed cameras and began locking their doors, among other security measures that officials declined to specify.
Other precautions being taken by the city of Chicago include:
-- All police department personnel will be in uniform.
-- "Key personnel" with the Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Department of Aviation have been told to "remain vigilant."
-- The OEMC's Operations Center is monitoring cameras citywide, "including cameras in the Operation Virtual Shield surveillance camera network, with special emphasis on critical infrastructure," Drew said.
Cook County sheriff's officers are keeping a close watch on the Daley center and underground walkways, according to Steve Patterson, spokesman for the Cook County sheriff's office.
"We have heightened security around the Daley Center and pedways and have assigned K9 units to the area for periodic patrols," Patterson said. "Our police have also been in contact with major points of interest, industrial and others, in unincorporated Cook County, ensuring lines of communication are open."
Chicago aviation officials would not say whether security has been increased at O'Hare and Midway airports, referring questions to the Transportation Security Administration, which referred questions to the Department of Homeland Security, which released this statement:
"We remain at a heightened state of vigilance. Secretary [Janet] Napolitano has been clear since . . . January that we will only issue alerts when we have specific or credible information to convey to the American public. Our security posture, which always includes a number of measures both seen and unseen, will continue to protect the American people from an evolving threat picture both in the next days and beyond."
Metra said it has not taken any stepped-up precautions on its trains.
The CTA said it was keeping in touch with "the appropriate local and federal agencies" for any developments that could affect service.
"We also want to remind our customers that vigilance and awareness of their surroundings is an important part of our safety efforts and encourage them to report any unusual or suspicious activity to 9-1-1 or to CTA personnel," the agency said in a statement.
Across the country, law enforcement agencies were adding security measures out of what one called "an abundance of caution."
In Los Angeles, police were stepping up intelligence monitoring, while New York was sending extra police to its subways, airports, bridges and the World Trade Center site itself.
Judy Banez, a nurse who commutes to New York City from Pennsylvania and lived in Queens on 9/11, said she was happy bin Laden was killed and had no problem with the added security at New York's Port Authority Bus Terminal.
"We're being vigilant and we can now go on with our lives," she said.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it will add more police at the facilities it runs, which include the airports, the George Washington Bridge and ground zero. The measures aren't response to any current threat and all the facilities will operate normally otherwise, the Port Authority said.
"This response is not based on a current threat, but out of an abundance of caution until we have the chance to learn more," the agency said.
Eighty-four Port Authority employees died in the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly issued a message to all police commands reminding them that while there's no information indicating a specific threat to the nation's biggest city, officers should remain alert.
He directed that the midnight tour in the subway system be held over into the morning rush-hour.
The head of the House Homeland Security Committee said the U.S. must temper victory with vigilance in the wake of bin Laden's assassination.
Rep. Peter King told NBC's "Today" show the al-Qaida terrorist organization could "try to avenge this death" and said "we'll have to be on full alert."
King also said there will be "round-the-clock" government surveillance to determine if al-Qaida is planning or organizing a retaliatory attack. He said federal agencies will be trying to find out if an attack is possible or imminent, "and how we can prevent it."
In Los Angeles, a top counterterrorism commander said police will be stepping up intelligence monitoring.
Assistant Commanding Officer Blake Chow, who heads the department's counterterrorism and special operations bureau, said Sunday night that officers will be keeping a close ear on intelligence buzz to develop immediate response plans accordingly.
Police in Philadelphia were on heightened alert, checking on mosques and synagogues every hour, Lt. Raymond J. Evers said.
Calif. high school student accused of stabbing classmate
18-year-old senior also allegedly threw a flaming roll of paper towels at his teacher
By KTLA-TV (Los Angeles)
Updated: 04-25-2011 12:40 pm
April 22--TORRANCE -- A high school senior Torrance was arrested for allegedly throwing a flaming roll of paper towels at his teacher, then stabbing a female classmate.
18-year-old Jessie Morehead now faces several charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, attempted arson, and possession of a deadly weapon on a school campus, according to Torrance police.
The incident began around 1:30 p.m. Friday at West High School.
The altercation reportedly began when Morehead's teacher told him to sit down.
Morehead then lit a paper towel on fire and made a comment to the teacher about her class, police said.
The teacher called security and told the rest of the students to evacuate of the classroom.
That's when Morehead allegedly grabbed a female classmate and stabbed her with a knife.
She only suffered a minor laceration, authorities said.
Morehead also allegedly hit his teacher when she tried to restrain him.
A male student was finally able to tackle Morehead and hold him down until police arrived.
Cameras could be installed in school toilets in West Lothian, UK
Officials say cameras would not be monitored and footage only examined after a bullying complaint
BY SHAN ROSS
The Scotsman
Updated: 04-25-2011 12:30 pm
CCTV cameras could be installed in school toilets in every school in West Lothian to deter bullying - despite objections by a number of parents and civil liberties groups.
Councillors had considered ditching the cameras at Whitburn Academy and West Calder High which overlook the area around the sinks after parents expressed concern about the risk of the footage being misused.
However, after a consultation with parent councils and a review of guidelines, councillors have decided to expand the scheme, which applies to both primary and secondary schools.
The new guidelines will ensure particular care is taken when positioning CCTV cameras in sensitive areas.
For example, CCTV cameras must only be positioned in changing rooms or toilets following consultation with parents, pupils and staff.
But the decision about the possible introduction of security cameras will be left to each individual school and will only be installed provided parents and pupils are consulted.
Officials said cameras are not monitored and footage from them only examined following a complaint of bullying.
Footage is kept for a "short time" and then disposed of.
SNP executive councillor for education Andrew Miller said: "Head teachers have stressed the value of CCTV in toilet areas to deter vandalism, smoking and other indisciplines.
"They are also popular with the majority of pupils. When there's a need to place cameras in sensitive areas, they will only be done so with the support of the school community."
However, David Mitchell, a member of West Lothian Parents' Group, said: "I can't imagine anyone would want mobile cameras in a toilet and what's the point of having a fixed camera?
"Any pupil misbehaving will just make sure they are out of view."
But Amanda O'Neill, who has two sons aged ten and eight at Whitburn, welcomed the move. She said: "Schools have endless glossy leaflets about their anti-bullying policies, but when you actually complain about anything they tell you nothing can be done without proof.
"The cameras will provide the evidence and I find it reassuring that when my kids go to secondary they wiill have that bit more protection."
Daniel Hamilton, director of Big Brother Watch UK, said: "This is an extremely worrying development. Any right-thinking person would conclude that monitoring school toilets with CCTV cameras is a gross invasion of children's privacy.
"The risk of this footage falling into the wrong hands is too horrifying to think about."
Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, voiced concern, although she backed West Lothian's plan to consult on any future installation of cameras.
Online snoops
Teachers should be wary of posting information on the internet amid concerns that schools and pupils are snooping online.
Headteachers and governors Google potential employees, while students also use the internet to find personal details about their teachers, a fringe meeting at the National Union of Teachers conference in Harrogate heard.
The union recently issued fresh guidance for members warning them against 'friending' pupils or parents on social networking sites, and to think twice before posting information about themselves or their school.
0 comments:
Post a Comment