Safety, Security, and Resiliency
Our Federation partners with Secure Community Network (SCN) to build a security shield over the Greater Fairfield County Jewish community so that Jewish life can thrive safely and securely today, tomorrow, and for future generations.
We are ready to respond
Antisemitism and acts of violence targeting Jews and Jewish institutions are on the rise. Yet, we are ready to respond. In 2024, our Federation joined with Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization of the North American Jewish community, engaging a highly trained former law enforcement professional – to build and implement a community-wide security program.
Mike Butsch, Northeast SCN Regional Director and former Community Security Director, Greater Fairfield County
As part of this community-wide security program, our Community Security Director:
- Coordinates closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement to mitigate threats to our community and investigate suspicious incidents in and around our facilities or directed toward the Jewish community.
- Conducts Threat, Vulnerability, & Risk Assessments of our religious and public facilities, a requirement for the FEMA-funded Non-Profit Security Grant Program.
- Conducts essential training programs to empower community members, covering a wide range of topics from situational awareness and active threat response to nationally recognized courses like Stop The Bleed®.
- Works collaboratively with our community to ensure that proper event security protocols are in place for our gatherings and celebrations.
Our Community Security Director is supported by the entire SCN network of professionals, including SCN’s Jewish Security Operations Command Center, which functions 24/7, is staffed by 18 full-time analysts with access to SCN’s cutting-edge technology, and serves as the central hub for threat monitoring and analysis for the Jewish community in North America.
Meet Our Security Director
John Andrews
Community Security Director, Greater Fairfield County
John Andrews serves as the Community Security Director for Greater Fairfield County. John’s expertise encompasses crime suppression and specialized operations. His career spans more than 27 years of extensive, specialized experience across local, state, and federal task forces.
Read John's Bio
The bedrock of John’s career was a 25-year tenure with the Bridgeport Police Department, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant. John spent 16 years with the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) serving as a team leader, executive officer, and lastly as the commanding officer for the team.
As a seasoned investigator, John spent a decade assigned to the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, participating in multi-jurisdictional operations targeting violent gangs and international drug trafficking organizations. John also organized and led a regional task force, unifying multiple Fairfield County police departments, and integrated fusion center resources to drive collaborative enforcement strategies and intelligence-led operations to combat rising violent crime, and served as Aide to the Chief of Police, assisting in administrative, operational, and strategic duties.
Throughout his career, John has been recognized with the highest honors for valor and service. John was named Police Officer of the Year in 2023 and have been awarded the Combat Cross, the Medal for Lifesaving from the Connecticut State Police, and multiple Meritorious Service Citations. John’s federal impact is marked by numerous awards from the United States Attorney’s Office his success in dismantling violent criminal enterprises.
Most recently, John served as a member of the Fairfield Police Department, assigned to the Neighborhood Enforcement Team to focus on quality-of-life issues facing the community. Previously, John was a Police Inspector for the State of Connecticut’s Division of Criminal Justice and was assigned to the Office of the State’s Attorney where he was responsible for preparing criminal cases for trial.
John is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and he has received training in Maritime Assault, SWAT Team Operations, and Crisis Intervention. John also served as POST-certified instructor in firearms and criminal investigations, dedicated to mentoring officers in tactical handgun/rifle skills and advanced interview techniques. John holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
“First of all, we escaped. We weren’t released or freed. We escaped because we had training from the Secure Community Network on what to do in the event of an active shooter. This training saved our lives. I am not speaking in hyperbole here – it saved our lives.”
Jeffrey Cohen, Member of Congregation Beth Israel, Colleyville, Texas
Building a Culture of Safety and Preparedness
In moments of crisis, people don’t rise to the occasion — they fall back on their level of training. That’s why we are committed to equipping individuals and institutions across our community with the skills and confidence they need to respond effectively when it matters most.
Our comprehensive training programs empower participants to take an active role in community safety. Through expert-led instruction and hands-on learning, we cultivate a culture of security awareness and preparedness throughout the Jewish community.
Our trainings cover a wide range of essential topics, including:
- Situational awareness
- Active threat response
- Emergency protocols and best practices
- Nationally recognized courses such as Stop The Bleed®
Each program is designed not only to provide practical knowledge and real-world skills, but to ensure long-term retention and confident application under pressure.
Please join us at one of our upcoming training sessions.
Trainings
Join us in keeping vibrant Jewish life thriving safely in our community.
Donate to our Security Fund today.
Safety is a shared responsibility - and together, we are building a stronger, more prepared community.
Everyone plays an important role in keeping our community safe. Following is an Incident Reporting Form that can be used to report threats, incidents, or suspicious activity related to Jewish organizations, facilities, or community members.
