Since our last congregational security update in May, KBI has continued to make significant progress in strengthening our security and emergency preparedness.
At the September meeting of the Board of Directors, the Security Advisory Committee (SAC) provided an update on the work undertaken over the past year. A major focus has been the development and implementation of comprehensive procedures to help us respond to a wide range of emergencies and security situations. With the assistance of our professional security consultants, we provided initial emergency-preparedness training to our staff, Board of Directors, committee members and interested congregants. Additional training opportunities will be offered as we continue to build a larger group of congregants prepared to assist in an emergency.
Together with the Building and Lands Committee, we continued to strengthen security throughout the building and property. Many of you may have noticed recent changes to our property, such as the perimeter fencing, the front entrance and the single vehicle entrance off Coldrey. Additional improvements, including enhanced parking lot lighting and electronic gates, are planned for the coming months.
The High Holy Days provided an important opportunity to put many elements of our security planning into practice. Professional security personnel, paid-duty Ottawa Police officers and marked patrol cars, trained KBI Safety Volunteers and controlled building access all formed part of a coordinated approach. We are pleased that security operations during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur went smoothly. Many congregants told us that the thoroughness of the ticket and bag checking made them feel reassured and safer. We are particularly grateful to our Safety Volunteers, who gave their time to help monitor entrances, welcome congregants and visitors, and support our professional security personnel.
The importance of this work was underscored by the disturbing attack outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville during Yom Kippur. While security needs differ from one congregation to another, the incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of preparedness and appropriate security at Jewish institutions.
Security at KBI is an ongoing process rather than a completed project. Our objective is not simply to add security measures, but to create a synagogue that remains welcoming, respectful and accessible while providing appropriate layers of protection. The Security Advisory Committee will continue to assess risks, review our procedures, support training and recommend improvements as circumstances and needs evolve.
We thank our staff, clergy, Safety Volunteers, security personnel and congregants for their cooperation and contribution to keeping KBI both welcoming and secure.