metro >> Learning In Israel Local law enforcement travels to Israel to learn about security practices. Ronelle Grier I Contributing Writer A delegation of high-ranking law enforcement and security officials, including a local police chief and the head of security for Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, traveled to Israel for a firsthand look at Israeli security prac- tices and counter-terrorism methods and how they can be used to improve safety in the United States. Michigan participants were West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton and Gary Sikorski, director of community-wide security for the local Federation. According to Sikorski, Patton, a longtime advocate of community outreach, was a logical choice because West Bloomfield is home to a large Jewish population as well as a number of Jewish agencies. Other group members included top-level law enforcement personnel and security directors from other Jewish Federation agencies from five North American cities. The trip was led and organized by Secure Community Network (SCN), sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Accompanying the group were Deputy Undersecretary of Homeland Security Dr. Ronald Clark and Paul Goldenberg, national director of SCN. From Nov. 15-21, the group spent an intensive week touring a variety of locations and engaging with their Israeli counterparts to learn how successful practices can be used at home, with emphasis on informa- tion and intelligence sharing and coopera- tion among law enforcement, private orga- nizations and members of the community. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the headquarters of the Knesset, Israel's legislative branch, located in the capital city of Jerusalem. The group was given a behind-the-scenes look at the mul- tiple layers of security in place to protect the facility and those who work there. "It's the tightest security system I've even seen in my life Sikorski said. Other highlights included a visit to the national academy where Israeli police are trained, dinner with a Jerusalem Post journalist who discussed the Israeli-Arab perspective and meetings with high-level security officials such as Knesset Member Mickey Levy, former commander of the Jerusalem Police District and the Judea and Samaria Police District; Avi Dichter, former minister of Public Security and Shin Bet director; and Dr. Tal Steinherz, chief 12 On Masada: West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton and Gary Sikorski, direc- tor of community-wide security for Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Sikorski and Patton with members of Israeli law enforcement technological officer of the National Cyber Bureau. To Patton, one of the most striking differ- ences between Israel and the United States is the mandatory military service required of all Israeli men and women. He believes this training produces a culture of citizens who are automatically more security-con- scious, even after their official service ends. "The 'see something, say something' policy we are trying to promote here is not as necessary there," Patton said. He also noticed that Israelis appear to be more aware of their surroundings because of the constant threat of unexpected attacks in populated areas. "You see fewer people on their cell phones in public places:' Patton said. According to Sikorski and Patton, the group came away with a new understand- ing of how important it is to maintain strong partnerships between various law enforcement entities and the communi- ties they serve. Sikorski was impressed with a mobile safety application called "Musketeer; which allows individuals, civil- ians and law enforcement personnel to put out signals in case of danger or suspicious activity. Sikorski said he was not surprised by the security measures he observed in Israel, but he was impressed by the way each compo- nent worked together to form a cohesive whole. "They [the Israelis] use a layered approach incorporating law enforcement, private security, the military and the com- munity, and it all meshes together; he said. "Here [the United States], everyone has their own domains, and there can be a replication of resources. In Israel, they work together by necessity:" He also appreciated the opportunity to learn about Israeli security methods for schools because that is where new mea- sures have been implemented locally in recent years. The group toured some of the Jewish neighborhoods, such as Gilor, Armon Hanatziv and Har Homa, located in close proximity to Arab communities. This "seamline" tour was led by Col. Dany Tirza, the architect of the controversial security fence, a separation that runs more than 400 miles along the 1949 Armistice Line in the West Bank. "Sometimes good fences make good neighbors:' said Patton, who was impressed with the way the Israelis strive to accom- modate diverse and sometimes adversarial members of the population. "They make an effort to be patient and tolerant. It's a good example for anyone who lives in a demo- cratic society:' Sikorski was able to meet with rep- resentatives from the travel vendors for Federation Mission trips, making connec- tions that will benefit future missions. "I have personal contacts now in Israel, along with a better understanding of how the process works," he said. The itinerary also included visits to traditional Israeli tourist sites such as the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum, a climb to the top of Masada and a tour of King Herod's hilltop fortress, and a visit to the Dead Sea. As first-time travelers to Israel, Patton and Sikorski were struck by the beauty of the country, its varied landscape as well as the sense of history that emanates throughout the land. Patton, calling it the "trip of a lifetime," was struck by the relation of the religious quarters in the Old City of Jerusalem to the history of the world. "The trip provided me with a greater appreciation of what goes on in other parts of the world and what we could be facing here:' * details The Michigan Israel Business Bridge (MIBB) Educational Foundation and Federation's Israel and Overseas Department are sponsoring a presen- tation about the security trip by West Bloomfield Police Chief Michael Patton and Gary Sikorski, director of community- wide security for Federation, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Max M. Fisher Building, 6735 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills. Cost is $15 for members; $20 for non- members. For information, contact Caryn Zeitlin, caryn@michiganisrael.com or (248) 642-1701.