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Biweekly Homeland Security Insights for a Safer New Jersey |
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NJOHSP Emphasizes Public Vigilance on National "See Say Day"
In recognition of National "See Say Day" on September 25, NJOHSP underscores the vital role that public vigilance plays in maintaining community safety through the "See Something, Say Something" campaign.
Originally coined in New York in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the phrase has evolved into a crucial national initiative that empowers citizens to report suspicious activities, aiding in the prevention of terrorism and targeted violence. NJOHSP continues to champion this effort by employing a range of outreach methods to keep the public informed and engaged, demonstrating the significant impact of community involvement in safeguarding our state.
NJOHSP has enhanced public awareness of suspicious activity reporting by using printed media, billboards, and aerial banners. Initiatives such as the "Secure the Shore" program focus efforts on high-traffic areas to maximize visibility of the "See Something, Say Something" message.
NJOHSP's campaign has produced actionable reports that detectives have transformed into criminal investigations, helping to prevent threats and safeguard communities. Several reports have resulted in criminal charges linked to terrorism or targeted violence, such as the 2023 arrest of Toms River (Ocean County) resident Nicholas Mucci. Mucci, a suspected racially motivated extremist, attacked attendees of an anti-racism concert at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Asbury Park (Monmouth County) in January 2023, leading to charges of aggravated arson and terroristic threats. He was sentenced to eight years in prison. Visit the NJOHSP website for additional success stories.
NJOHSP operates one of the few live, 24/7/365 counter-threat watch programs in the country, handling reports through a dedicated hotline from law enforcement, critical infrastructure, religious, education, and private-sector partners, as well as calls from the public.
To report suspicious activity in NJ, call local police or contact NJOHSP's Counter-Threat Watch Unit by calling 866-4-SAFE-NJ (866-472-3365) or emailing tips@njohsp.gov.
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NJOHSP Urges Public Awareness for Upcoming High-Profile Events and Anniversaries
Over the next month, numerous high-profile and notable events will occur across the state, including gubernatorial debates, university speaker series and lectures, religious observances, the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, HAMAS attack on Israel, and Homecoming 250 – the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
These events will draw dignitaries, leaders, academics, and other notable figures, many of whom represent symbolic or high-level targets. The overlap of political activity, campus-based events, and major religious holidays presents an elevated threat environment, warranting heightened situational awareness and coordination with local partners.
NJOHSP appreciates the public's commitment to helping keep the state's residents, visitors, businesses, and houses of worship safe and secure by reporting indicators of suspicious activity to local law enforcement or to NJOHSP's Counter-Threat Watch Unit.
Analyst Comment: NJOHSP has not identified any specific, credible threats to NJ or the events hosted throughout the state. Events with mass gatherings or high-profile speakers pose threat of demonstrations, counterprotests, or exploitation by domestic extremists or lone offenders who seek to act on their personal grievances towards elected officials, high-profile speakers, or religious groups.
NJCCIC Underscores Importance of Cyber Grants in Enhancing Statewide Security
New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) Director Michael Geraghty recently participated in Cyber Focus, a discussion hosted by Auburn University's McCrary Institute for Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure on the importance of state and local cyber grants.
Geraghty highlighted the necessity of a collective defense strategy for NJ's cybersecurity efforts, underscoring the need for collaboration among State, county, local, and private sector partners. He elaborated on the use of grant programs, such as NJOHSP's participation in the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and the Water Quality Accountability Act, which require utilities to report cyber incidents and join the NJCCIC for threat intelligence sharing.
These grants have facilitated the deployment of services such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) and managed detection response (MDR), effectively working to prevent numerous ransomware attacks.
The effectiveness of these cybersecurity initiatives has contributed to positive outcomes beyond enhanced security measures. In August, S&P Global Ratings upgraded NJ's credit rating from 'A' to 'A+' reflecting the State's proactive stance on cybersecurity and its efficient use of grant funds. The SLCGP is administered by NJOHSP through the NJCCIC.
Geraghty noted that NJ is one of only two states in the country where cybersecurity is organized under a state department of homeland security. He stressed the importance of continued funding to sustain these initiatives and the significance of fostering trust and partnerships to maximize resources and enhance cybersecurity resilience across the state.
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Threat Actors are Hunting for Your Information, NJCCIC Warns
The NJCCIC has observed an increase in the distribution of infostealing malware, which is popular among threat actors. Infostealers allow threat actors to retrieve credentials, financial information, personally identifiable information, messages, emails, and browser data. Some infostealers also have the capacity to run secondary payloads.
Phishing remains a standard method for tricking users into downloading infostealers. Email campaigns typically use compressed files containing the malware; however, campaigns may also begin with a downloader that initiates the download of additional malware once installed.
The NJCCIC recommends that users avoid clicking links and opening attachments in unsolicited emails and only download applications and software from official sources. If you suspect an account has been compromised, change the account's password immediately and ensure multifactor authentication is enabled for all online accounts.
For more information, view the NJCCIC's latest alerts and advisories.
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NJOHSP Anticipates Funding for Federal Grant Programs
 NJOHSP, as the NJ State Administrative Agency (SAA), is committed to robust information sharing with our federal partners to glean vetted information and share it with all State, county, and local partners in NJ.
The following information is the most recent updates NJOHSP has received, regarding federal fiscal year (FFY) 2024 and 2025 grant programs, is an effort to share timely and accurate information that can assist grant participants with strategic planning and decision-making:
- FFY24 Nonprofit Security Grant Program – National Security Supplement (NSGP-NSS) - $25,183,624.
- NJOHSP has accepted NJ's Award Notice within the FEMA GO grant platform and has notified all recipients via a phone call and is currently finalizing the award notices to all subrecipients, which is expected to go out within the next week.
- All applicants that did not receive an award within this grant cycle will be noticed via a letter.
- A virtual recipient workshop is scheduled for October 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
- NJOHSP is currently setting up its Grant Tracking System with all relevant grant recipient information
- FFY25 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) to include the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) - $18,994,023
- NJOHSP submitted preapplication documents as required
- NJ's award package from FEMA/DHS remains pending
- FFY25 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) - $28,370,087
- NJOHSP submitted preapplication documents as required
- NJ's award package from FEMA/DHS remains pending
- FFY25 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) - $1,703,280
- NJOHSP submitted preapplication documents as required
- NJ's award package from FEMA/DHS remains pending
- FFY25 Presidential Residence Protection Assistance Grant Program (PRPA) – TBD
- $300 million federal allocation remains pending
- NJOHSP waiting for funding availability from FEMA/DHS
NJOHSP will continue to share information and updates as received from FEMA/DHS and all federal partners as necessary.
For additional awareness, the state fiscal year 2026 New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NJ NSGP) application period closed on September 15, 2025.
- NJOHSP is currently validating, reviewing, scoring, and prioritizing the submitted applications
- The award notices are expected to go out January 2, 2026, to coincide with the new calendar year
- A recipient workshop will be scheduled after the delivery of the award notices
Visit the NJOHSP website for more information.
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Upcoming Training Programs
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NJOHSP-Coordinated Training
All NJOHSP-coordinated training courses are posted on the NJOHSP State Training Calendar. The calendar provides a course description, training location, target audience, and point of contact.
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 Investigator 3, Law and Public Safety
NJOHSP has an opening for a full-time Investigator 3, Law and Public Safety, assigned to the Operations Bureau within the Intelligence and Operations Division. The selected candidate will conduct investigative work supporting criminal investigations related to national security threats and critical infrastructure; review and analyze documents in support of investigative work and prepare findings in a clear and concise manner; research and investigate foreign influence activities, economic interference, disinformation campaigns, insider threats, domestic and non-state actor threats; prepare and provide defensive briefings on the national security threat landscape to State, county, and local partners; interface and establish working relationships with representatives from partner agencies at the State and federal levels to enhance collaboration on issues of national security; and assist in the preparation of materials for grand jury presentation and/or criminal trial among other duties.
To apply, visit NJOHSP's careers web page.
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Counter-Threat Watch Specialist
NJOHSP invites talented individuals to apply for a Counter-Threat Watch Specialist position assigned to the Mission Support Bureau within the Intelligence and Operations Division, located at the New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center (NJ ROIC) in West Trenton, NJ. Requirements include a background in law enforcement/criminal justice, intelligence, or homeland security, as the job requires a basic understanding of the current threat environment. The position also requires strong writing and computer skills, the ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects in collaboration with various NJOHSP staff, the ability to adapt to a fluctuating workload, and the ability to work with individuals of all backgrounds. The successful candidate will be a team member with the ability to adapt easily to meet priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced and ever-changing threat environment.
To apply, visit NJOHSP's careers web page.
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Contact Information
For more information or to share feedback, please contact the Communications Bureau at communications@njohsp.gov.
The NJ Security Spotlight is a biweekly newsletter of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and is intended to provide constituents with important agency updates, publications, and announcements.
Please visit njohsp.gov/connect/nj-security-spotlight to read previous newsletters.
Report Threat-Related Suspicious Activity
Call 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or email tips@njohsp.gov.
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