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Biweekly Homeland Security Insights for a Safer New Jersey |
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Jewish Communities Mark Second Anniversary of HAMAS-Israel War
Numerous Jewish communities are holding commemorative events and vigils to mark the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, HAMAS attack on Israel. Threats to the Jewish community and its supporters continue to persist following the anniversary as the conflict in the Middle East continues to garner global attention and interest.
Some recent notable examples include:
On October 2, at 9:30 a.m. local time, a suspect killed one and injured three others after he rammed a vehicle into a group of people outside the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, U.K. The suspect then exited the vehicle and proceeded to stab a member of the crowd. Responding law enforcement accidently shot a bystander before fatally shooting the suspect. The attack occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, and authorities believe it was a deliberate act of targeted violence against the Jewish community. British authorities believe the suspect may have been influenced by "extreme Islamist ideology." Currently, four additional people are in custody as part of the investigation.
On October 1, German authorities arrested three alleged HAMAS members for plotting attacks on Jewish institutions. Over the summer, the individuals procured firearms and ammunition with the intention of targeting Jewish infrastructure. Two of the suspects are German citizens and the third was born in Lebanon. HAMAS claims the allegations are unfounded and it has no connection to the three individuals.
Analyst Comment: Jewish communities continue to face a persistent and multi-faceted threat, both nationally and within New Jersey. In February, authorities arrested Luis Ramirez outside the Lincoln tunnel in Weehawken, NJ, after he traveled from Utah and posted on social media a threat to kill Jewish people. He allegedly was on his way to the Central Synagogue in NYC. In June 2023, Ron Carr, of Manchester Township, NJ, vandalized 14 homes with Nazi symbolism and set fire to one in Pine Lake Park because he believed "the Jews are ruining everything." This past summer, NJOHSP analyzed these incidents and other threats against the Jewish community in New Jersey. NJOHSP also examined incidents from January 2022 through July 2025 and published an intelligence note that can be viewed at njohsp.gov.
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NJOHSP, NJCCIC Launch 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Month
NJOHSP and the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) are spearheading efforts to enhance cyber safety across the state following Governor Phil Murphy's proclamation recognizing October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in New Jersey.
New Jersey's observance coincides with the national Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign, "Building a Cyber Strong America," which is marking its 22nd anniversary in 2025, and is aimed at educating the public on effective online safety practices.
For more information on cybersecurity best practices, incident reporting, or to sign up for a free NJCCIC membership, which offers cyber-related updates and advisories, visit cyber.nj.gov.
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Prepare Now: NJOHSP Plans to Open Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program Application Period Soon
 In anticipation of the upcoming application period for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), nonprofit organizations preparing to apply are encouraged to:
- Review the FFY2025 NSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
- Ensure vulnerability risk assessments are current, including required photographs of the areas for which security enhancements are being pursued.
- Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier through SAM.gov. The number is needed at time of application.
For more information and instructions, view NJOHSP's grants web page.
Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force Hosts Crisis Communication Exercise
 The New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force (DSPTF), chaired by NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran, hosted its annual Executive Leaders Tabletop Exercise on September 30 at the Regional Operations and Intelligence Center.
The event, organized for and attended by 50 New Jersey State Executive Branch leaders under the auspices of the DSPTF, focused on inter- and intra-agency communications during a crisis or emergency incident. The DSPTF partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to develop the exercise.
"This training underscores our commitment to ensuring effective communication and collaboration among New Jersey's state government leaders during emergencies," said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. "By partnering with CISA, we aim to strengthen our collective preparedness and enhance our ability to respond to a crisis efficiently."
The DSPTF is a multi-agency team of New Jersey cabinet-level executives responsible for the coordination of state homeland security initiatives and policy, utilizing a data-driven, risk-based approach to address capability gaps and increase statewide preparedness.
NJOHSP Delivers 'Stop the Bleed' Kits and Training to NJ Faith-Based Groups
On September 25, the NJOHSP Houses of Worship Bleeding Control Kit Team collaborated with the FBI Newark Division, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Willingboro Police Department, and the Delaware Valley Baptist Church in Willingboro, NJ, to deliver an Interfaith Protecting Houses of Worship Overview presentation for local faith-based communities.
The event featured a series of topics focused on enhancing the safety and preparedness of houses of worship, including:
- Active Shooter Response
- Vulnerability Risk Assessments
- Hate Crime Overview
- Grant Opportunities
- Bleed Kits with Stop the Bleed Training
As part of the initiative, NJOHSP distributed 60 bleeding control kits to 20 houses of worship in attendance, supporting their efforts to improve emergency readiness and community resilience.
To date, NJOHSP has distributed more 2,500 bleeding control kits to faith-based communities in New Jersey.
Religious communities can register to receive a bleeding control kit and "Stop the Bleed" training utilizing the Houses of Worship Distribution Survey. For more information regarding this initiative, visit NJOHSP's Houses of Worship Bleeding Control Kits web page.
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NJOHSP Accepting Applications for its 2025 Spring Internship Program
NJOHSP is currently accepting applications for its unpaid, in-person 2026 Spring Internship Program, which runs from January 20, 2026, through April 10, 2026. Internships are offered to undergraduate and graduate college students who are interested in applying to one of three NJOHSP divisions – Intelligence and Operations (Hamilton Office), Preparedness (Hamilton Office), and the NJCCIC (Hamilton, West Trenton, or Newark) – or the Communications Bureau (Hamilton Office).
Students may receive college-approved credits for completed internships. The program, also offered during the summer and fall, helps interns develop and apply their educational training to a real-world setting as they explore various NJOHSP career paths. Applicants may select the Communications Bureau or division of their interest.
Interns must be available Monday through Friday within the business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for eight consecutive weeks and are limited to no more than 21 hours per week. The last day to apply for the spring internship is 4 p.m., October 31, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit NJOHSP's careers web page.
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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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 Intelligence Analyst 3
NJOHSP has an opening for a full-time Intelligence Analyst 3, assigned to the Intelligence and Analysis Bureau within the Intelligence and Operations Division. Under the direction of the Intelligence and Operations Division director, this position will function as the bureau chief for the Intelligence and Analysis Bureau which performs the critical function of providing strategic and tactical intelligence collection and analysis related to terrorism, hostile foreign intelligence, and targeted violence threats to the State of New Jersey. The selected candidate will manage the staff and activities of the bureau including identifying and modifying programs based on a changing threat environment and hiring, training, supervising and evaluating personnel; coordinate analytical investigations designed to gather intelligence information to establish a profile of an alleged group(s) or organization(s) involvement in terrorism objectives to determine resources, capabilities, intent, and vulnerability studies; direct searches of open source and classified information and supervise the preparation of in-depth reports of a highly complex nature to be utilized by superiors in planning the type and course of action to protect New Jersey citizens and others from terrorism; integrate into appropriate FIFA World Cup 2026 and Sail4th 250 working groups; and lead the production of NJOHSP’s Annual Threat Assessment among other duties.
To apply, visit NJOHSP's careers web page.
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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