JCSI’s Ongoing Role in Community Protection
Every day, Jewish Detroiters come together in synagogues, schools and community spaces. Today, when antisemitism and threats against Jewish communities are rising at alarming rates—security is more important than ever.
That’s why the Federation supported Jewish Community Security, Inc. (JCSI) exists: to ensure Jewish Detroit can worship, learn and gather with confidence and peace of mind.
The scale of that responsibility is enormous:
- Protecting 80,000 Jewish Detroit community members
- Covering 183 square miles across metropolitan Detroit
- Securing 17 Jewish organizations and nearly 1,200 facilities (schools, offices, living facilities, camps, campuses)
- Safeguarding 45 synagogues
For almost 20 years, JCSI has been bringing together know-how, strong partnerships and national resources to help keep our community safe. Here are their guiding principles:
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JCSI’s work centers on three core strategies:
Protection
- State-of-the-art technology, enter and exit controls, and proprietary protocols
- Regular security patrols that create layers of deterrence and provide early warning
- Hardened facilities that transform Jewish institutions into stronger, safer spaces
Visibility
- A presence that deters threats while reassuring community members
- Trained security officers stationed at synagogues, agencies, schools and camps
- Familiar, highly trained professionals who know our institutions and are ready to respond quickly
Training
- Situational awareness and emergency response workshops
- Preparedness programs for staff, volunteers and community members
- A culture of vigilance that empowers everyone, not just security personnel, to play a role
- As Gary Sikorski, JCSI’s Director, explains: “Training is a cornerstone of what we do. We want every institution and every individual to feel prepared and supported.”
Partnerships That Multiply Impact
No single agency can meet the challenge our community faces alone. One of JCSI’s strengths comes from well-ingrained partnerships:
Law Enforcement
- Collaboration with local police, county sheriffs, state authorities and federal agencies
- Intelligence sharing and coordinated responses that strengthen protection at every level
National Jewish Security Network
- Connection to the Secure Community Network (SCN), the official security partner of Jewish Federations of North America
- Access to real-time threat intelligence, best practices and strategies developed by Jewish communities nationwide
Proactive, Not Reactive
Security is about prevention. JCSI continuously monitors risks, analyzes threats and maintains constant communication with community partners. The focus is always on anticipating challenges before they occur.
As Sikorski puts it: “We continuously monitor potential risks and keep our partners informed, always with the goal of being proactive, not reactive.”
A Community-Wide Effort
JCSI provides the expertise, but safety is everyone’s responsibility. Our community plays a critical role by staying aware, reporting suspicious activity and embracing the “see something, say something” principle. Together, professional security teams and engaged community members create the strongest possible shield for Jewish Detroit.
As we enter Yom Kippur, we can take comfort knowing JCSI is working tirelessly to safeguard our community—so that Jewish Detroit can gather, worship, study and live with peace of mind.
You can learn more about JCSI’s work here. You can report a concern and see a list of the types of activities to be on the lookout for here.
