My Frustration

The nice thing about having a blog is that I get to vent.  I get to say what is on my mind and exercise my free speech right.

So here it goes: I have been living in Maryland for the past 15 years, most of which in the Pikesville area.  I own my house here, and my business is located here.  As part of my personal ethical belief I am a big believer of supporting your community, even more so when discussing one that is as fragile as the Jewish community in Pikesville.

Since we opened Masada Tactical we have been heavily involved in supporting the needs of the community, from providing self-defense and empowerment classes for victims of domestic violence to working with youth at risk.  Most of it at no cost to the organization.  We work with schools, synagogues, community establishment and other organizations for no other reason than we believe that if we can help then we should.

In recent month we have seen an alarming increase in violence at schools and community centers, specifically those affiliated with the Jewish community.  Notably are the attacks at the JCC in Kansas as well as attacks in NYC, France, and even here in Baltimore.

Many organizations think they are prepared, or at least that they are taking necessary steps.  For example, one organization contracted for a security professional to conduct a risk assessment.  Others rewrote new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).  Yet others invested in physical security elements, such as cameras and alarms.  Most went about it wrong, ineffectively, and did little if anything to truly enhance the security of their organization.

It was at this point that I personally became insulted because at no point were we (Masada Tactical) given the opportunity to help.  We are professionals contracted by some of the largest organizations and those at higher risk, trusted by multi-billion companies, yet local organizations, the same ones we have been helping all along for free, chose to ignore us.

It is important to state that some so-called "Security experts" in the community not only are promoting ill-perceived practices, but are actually causing more harm than good by publishing the issues with different organizations making those more apparent and accessible to would-be criminal/terrorists.

As a response to the various attacks in our community, from vandalism to armed home invasions, Masada Tactical devised a program to train local organizations in how to prepare and defend against such incidents.  The program was to be offered at no cost, and provide every organization that was interested with the tools to learn how to deter, detect and defend against potential threats.  No self-defense or firearms stuff, but rather tangible skills like behavioral analysis, risk assessment and mitigation, and more.  This is a program that has been implemented successfully in NYC, London, and other places, which we were trying to make available to the local community.

The same community that is willing to pay in excess of $30,000 for a product that was no good for them, chose to pass on a FREE opportunity to get what others pay thousands of dollars for.  No surprise there.

As a member of the community I must say I was ashamed.  Here is a group of people who scream that something needs to be done to protect our children and community, yet prefers to sit idly and do nothing when the opportunity comes.

Many think this is not something they should worry about.  The mentality of ignorance and avoidance must end.  Not only is there a chance of it happening, it has happened...multiple times!  And the question regarding the next "big attack" is not of whether it would happen, but more of when?!?

So when the next person needs our help because the worst did happen to them, and they have passed on the opportunity to learn and prepare, they should remember that they have no one to blame but themselves.

Rant over.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein (this does not reflect the opinion of Masada Tactical...just mine!)
Masada Tactical