Update on BC Legislature Plot

 

July 28, 2015

 

It has been reported in the media that John Nuttall and Amanda Korody planned to target local synagogues and members of the Jewish community, in addition to a number of other local targets. The pair was found guilty of plotting to detonate homemade pressure-cooker bombs at the B.C. legislature during Canada Day celebrations two years ago.

 

We take threats against the Jewish community very seriously.

 

Jewish Federation maintains a positive and ongoing relationship with both local law enforcement and the RCMP. We were notified of these concerns in 2013 at the time of the arrests. We notified all of our community agencies and reminded them to follow their internal security protocols. Jewish Federation has strong and stringent security protocols in place and we follow them whenever there is a security alert. We are in regular contact with law enforcement regarding any community concerns.

 

At this time, there is no documented change in the level of risk to our local Jewish community.

 

Our board chair, Stephen Gaerber, outlined steps Jewish Federation has taken to support community security: “As an organization we have taken a pro-active approach to community security. We have funded and coordinated security audits at local Jewish community institutions, and provided grants for them to upgrade their security features. We provide ongoing security training and support to communal professionals. Just last March, we brought all of our agencies together for an intensive security training session.”

 

We continue to benefit from the vigilance and professionalism of local law enforcement, and we are grateful that the perpetrators in this case were intercepted and arrested.