Police rushed to the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill yesterday after a report of a possible threat, but JCC leaders later told members there was never any danger to anyone inside. Officers and the center’s security team conducted a sweep of the building and cleared the scene after a brief check, the organization said. The quick response came at a tense time for a neighborhood still marked by past attacks.
As reported by WTAE, a JCC spokesperson said officials were called to the building after reports of a possible threat and that no actual threat was found. The outlet noted that the specific nature of the alert was not made clear.
In a letter to members, JCC President and CEO Jason Kunzman thanked city police and the center’s security staff for their swift response and expressed the organization’s appreciation for their work. He added, "At no point was there any threat to individuals or to the JCC," according to WTAE.
Heightened Vigilance in Squirrel Hill
City officials said they increased patrols around houses of worship after a series of threatening and hateful messages went out over public-safety radio earlier this month, according to WESA. The Squirrel Hill neighborhood remains acutely aware of past violence, including the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue attack that left 11 people dead and continues to shape security planning, as detailed by The Washington Post. Local leaders and police say the rapid sweep at the JCC fits with those stepped-up precautions.
How To Get Updates
The JCC’s website lists its Squirrel Hill campus and urges members to rely on official text alerts and social media channels for the latest information, according to the center’s online notice. For now, the JCC has said it expects normal operations to continue and is asking members to look to official communications for any further updates, per the JCC.
