Security Beefed Up Ahead Of Jewish High Holy Days

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- Following recent messages of hate targeting South Florida's Jewish community, local authorities are planning to beef up security for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which is next week.

There have been concerns across South Florida for weeks in the wake of swastikas drawn on a banner outside a temple in Miami Beach. Another incident took place at a synagogue in West Miami, still others in North East Miami Dade and Surfside.  It's been an active few weeks of people leaving offensive, hateful messages leading into the beginning of the Jewish high holy days.

"Tell us if you see something, say something, call us," said BSO Sgt. Mark Alexander.

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BSO and Jewish community leaders are working on pro-active plans to keep temples and synagogues safe.  The key in their plan to work together includes good communication. If something doesn't look right, trust your gut and make a call.

"Sometimes, we as human beings say, 'Oh it was no big deal' or 'Maybe I didn't see what I thought I saw. I'll call next time if I see it again. It might not have really happened'," explained Hava Holtzhauer from the Anti-Defamation League.

Intelligence experts from BSO are stressing that if they don't get the call to check something out, they can't get out ahead of trouble.

"We have to have partners in the community, we need eyes and ears that are listening and that are watching for suspicious incidents," said BSO Captain Ed Grant.

BSO points out surveillance cameras and tips are what leads to arrests.  It happened in the most recent incident in Miami Beach.

They also stress paying close attention to what's going on around you, because many times there will be clues ahead of trouble.

"They generally do not pick a place at random," said Sgt. Alexander. "There's things to look at and somebody's seen something."

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