Dear Community Partners:

We are reaching out to you in the aftermath of the tragic incident in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in which three young Muslim Americans lost their lives in a senseless act of violence this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. Our diverse American communities across the United States are what make this nation great. We have personally traveled to meet with many of you across the country, and shared ideas about how we can all work together to keep our nation safe and secure. As the tragic incident in Chapel Hill reminds us, we must remain vigilant in our quest to keep each other safe.

While the matter is still under active criminal investigation, CRCL has already heard from many of you who have expressed concerns and asked for resources and points of contact as a result of this terrible shooting. Thus we would like to invite you to share any concerns and information you may have, especially those related to the intersection of homeland security and civil rights and civil liberties. We would also like to share the list of resources below, which may be useful for you and members of your community.

Should you have questions or need to follow up please contact CRCL’s Community Engagement Section Lead at CommunityEngagement@hq.dhs.gov

• Resources
  • Protective Security Advisors, DHS Infrastructure Protection
  • Contact: nicc@dhs.gov to be connected with regional protective security advisors
  • Website: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1265310793722.shtm
• DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Resources:
  • FEMA Management Institute - training resources website: http://www.training.fema.gov/EMI
  • FEMA All-Hazards Emergency Operations Planning website: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/plan/slg101.pdf
  • Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101 website: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1828-25045-0014/cpg_101_comprehensive_preparedness_guide_developing_and_maintaining_emergency_operations_plans_2010.pdf
• DHS Active Shooter Preparedness Guide:
• Active Shooter Preparedness to include Conducting Security Assessments: A Guide for Schools and Houses of Worship Webinar: http://www.dhs.gov/active-shooter-preparedness
• Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) - email to obtain a username and password which would allow access to several tools including a webinar entitled "The Evolving Threat: What You Can Do."
  • Contact: HSINCS@dhs.gov
  • Website: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1156888108137.shtm
•  DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Community Engagement Section
  • Contact: communityengagement@hq.dhs.gov
  • Website: http://www.dhs.gov/crcl
• DOJ Community Relations Service
  • Contact: (202) 305-2935
  • Website: http://www.justice.gov/crs/index.html
• Federal Bureau of Investigation, Information on Hate Crimes
• Website: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/hate_crimes/hate_crimes/