Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said no threats have been reported here Watch video
PARSIPPANY -- The nationwide surge in bomb threats, vandalism and other harassment targeting Jewish schools and community centers is drawing notice in Morris County.
County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said Tuesday that his office is monitoring the situation but that no threats have been reported.
"We're always vigilant," said Knapp, whose office on Monday hosted a clergy outreach program on security at religious facilities.
A bomb threat at a Jewish center in Camden County on Monday was at least the eighth such hoax reported in New Jersey this year and among dozens reported across the United States.
Knapp, asked by NJ Advance Media about anything out of the ordinary happening in Morris County, said that "nothing that rises to the level of a criminal act" has been documented.
"I have not seen an uptick, thankfully, at this time in Morris County," Knapp said, adding that over the years school officials in the county have reported finding swastikas.
"Those types of things happen, periodically," Knapp said.
"Should an incident arise in Morris County, we're in regular contact with the Anti-Defamation League," Knapp said.
Asked about mosques, which also have reported receiving threats nationwide, Knapp said that "the Muslim mosques and other houses of worship are very concerned."
"We've been in communication with them, as we offer our assistance to everyone," Knapp said.
Knapp said 175 clergy members were invited to a program Monday on security and that about 40 showed up.
The two-hour program, held at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, focused generally on safety challenges facing religious facilities of all faiths, including schools.
Msgr. James Mahoney, a Catholic priest and high-ranking official in the Diocese of Paterson, said the dilemma facing houses of worship is to remain accessible to all, but to keep staff, congregants and the facility safe.
"We also need to be smart," added Mahoney, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Chatham and a vicar general in the diocese.
Knapp, in his remarks Monday, recounted going on yearly visits to check the level of security at religious institutions in Morris County.
"Some have impressed me and others have shocked me," Knapp said.
Other speakers included N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Deputy Director Steven Gutkin and Al Imperiale, the county's critical infrastructure coordinator.
Imperiale acknowledged the scope of the challenge, citing the dichotomy between being welcoming but also striving for security.
"You allow everybody to come into your facility, unchecked, because you're inviting. The buildings themselves say, welcome, but you have to think about security and change the way you're thinking in order to better protect yourselves," Imperiale said.
Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook