http://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS NewsMOPS Newshe-ILhttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/LiebermanVisit_20_7_10.htm#Tue,20Jul201006:29:39GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/LiebermanVisit_20_7_10.htmThe Minister of Public Security, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, met on July 14th, 2010, with Senator Joe Lieberman and discussed political and professional issues, including East Jerusalem, USA-Israel relations, and the radical Islam. The State of Israel has a productive professional relationship with the United States Department of Homeland Security in the fields of operations and technology, spearheaded by the Minister of Public Security and the Ministry. Among the issues that were discussed: Aviation security and operational cooperation Intelligence – cooperation regarding radical Islam, radicalization in different populations and joint research on the subject Operational cooperation regarding state of emergency Technology cooperation and agreements, with an emphasis on bomb disposal The two parties discusses political issues on the agenda such as the international relations between the two countries – in light of the recent meetings of Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama, the situation in East Jerusalem, and the recent freeze on addition building the in settlements. Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:29:39 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/PekiinWomenEmpowerment_28_6_10.htm#Mon,28Jun201007:24:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/PekiinWomenEmpowerment_28_6_10.htmOver the past few years, the Ministry of Public Security's Metzila division has been operating various projects in the village of Peki'in, the most outstanding of which is the Female Empowerment activity. Throughout the month of May, the participants of the activity have been taking part in a First Aid course. The women have also undergone training to learn how to handle different emergencies, including: learning to treat animal bites, instructions of how to conduct themselves during a fire, providing first aid resuscitation, providing first aid outdoors and during fieldtrips, treating heart attacks, and learning about the respiratory and digestive systems. As part of the activity, the ladies went on a hike along the El-Al stream, north-east of the Kineret and Ma'ale Gamla. During these trips, the women implemented all that they have learned and also learned about the area itself, its flora and fauna and how to treat injured people outdoors. This is the third year that the Female Empowerment Project is operated in Peki'in, and its goal is to diminish the amount of violent incidents in the village. Since the project began, 100 women from Peki'in have received special training, preparing them for a volunteering activity designated to diminish acts of violence. As part of their training, the women learn about various topics regarding their daily lives, such as: how to discipline violent youths, violence in sports, home safety, and violence in the educational establishments, first aid, and planning cultural and educational activities that would serve in deterring teenagers from violence. The project operates in cooperation with: the Metzilah division, the Peki'in local council, the community's local educational system, the Ministry of Welfare, the community's "Pisga" center, the local police and the women's clubs. There are 25 women participating in each course. So far, four courses were conducted. The courses are conducted over a period of four months, with another weekly three-hour meeting. As part of their activities, the women also volunteer in their community; they aid in various events and work with needy populations within the community. Participants of the 2009 project also had the chance to visit central sites in Jerusalem as well as the holy sites. During their visit to the Knesset, they participated in a debate with Arab Knesset members, and were told of all the parliamentary work that is being done on the relevant issue and the issues that are on the public agenda. The women participating in the project have a substantial role in planning the Peki'in festival which takes place every summer, and their goal is to raise awareness for the prevention of violence and drug use in the village. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:24:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/LawPreventingEmploymentOfSexOffenders_23_6_10.htm#Wed,23Jun201005:32:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/LawPreventingEmploymentOfSexOffenders_23_6_10.htmThe Ministry of Public Security is notifying the public about the law for the prevention of the employment of sex offenders at particular institutions, as well as the amendment to the law which passed in the Knesset on June 1, 2010: A. The 2001 law preventing the employment of sex offenders at particular institutions. The law prohibits the employment of sex offenders at institutions that are aimed at providing service for minors and people with either mental or developmental disabilities. The purpose of the law: to provide special protection for minor and for people with mental or developmental disabilities, from sex offenders, from the incredible harm caused by sexual molestation, and from the repetitiveness characterizing the actions of sex offenders; all the while paying careful attention to the added vulnerability of the target population. The law states the following prohibitions: Prohibiting employers at the institutions stated in the law (hereinafter: "The Institutions") from employing sex offenders in any position which enables them to be in contact, whether regular or permanent, with minors or with people suffering from mental or development disabilities. Prohibiting sex offenders from being employed at the institution. Prohibiting the employer from employing any adult without a permit from the Israel Police verifying that their employment is permitted by law. This prohibition does not apply to women at this point.These prohibitions apply even if the individual in question is merely volunteering in the institution, whether independently or via an employment agency. Definition of a sex offender to whom the prohibition refers: Anyone convicted of a sex offence, while they were considered adults by law (over the age of 18), and given that the offences were committed as of March 1, 1998. The law refers to the following institutions, with regards to prohibiting the employment of sex offenders: Schools, daycares, afternoon childcare programs, and other types of educational institutions meant for minors. Youth movements, summer camps, clubs and culture centers for minors. Zoos and amusement parks. Culture and sports youth centers, gyms and swimming pools that are admitting minors. Transportation services for minors, or for people suffering from mental or developmental disabilities. Any business dealing with the organization of trips or holidays for minors, or for people suffering from mental or developmental disabilities. Any business providing security services for minors. Hospital children's wards and children's clinics. Clinics or mental institutions. Clubs, daycares, treatment centers, or rehabilitative work centers for people suffering from mental or developmental disabilities.A. committee of specialists, which was founded according to the law, is authorized to exempt the sex offender from the employment prohibition; given that he had issued a request, and that the committee had received an "endangerment evaluation" regarding that individual and has evaluated the need for the prohibition with regards to him. The committee's chairman is a judge at the magistrate court, and the members of the committee are experts in the behavioral patterns of sex offenders and their treatment. B. The amendment to the law, includes the instructions meant for other institutions An amendment to the law, which was published in the official publication on June 3, 2010, adds the following institution to the list: "any other institution which provides, among other services, tutorials, instructions, education, entertainment or diagnosis for minors or for people suffering from mental or developmental disabilities; any institution providing treatment as well as care and supervision for this population." The amendment will come into effect on September 3, 2010. However, with regards to individuals who were already employed at one of the institutions mentioned in the amendment on June 3, 2010, and are still employed there; the amendment will come into effect only on December 3, 2010. As stated, an employee wishing to apply to the committee, according to the law, in order to receive exemption from the prohibition, will be allowed to do so even before the amendment come into effect. An employee who applies to the committee before August 3, 2010, will be able to continue working at the institution until such a time when the committee comes to a decision regarding his case but only in condition that he has presented the employee with a permit verifying his application to the committee on the appointed date. It should be stated that according to the amendment, any institution mentioned in the amendment is obligated to notify the adult employee about the amendment, with the exception of the occupation and employment prohibitions it contains. The notification must be in writing, and delivered via registered mail or direct delivery. With regards to employees who are already employed at the institution, the message could be posted on a bulletin board in the institution. Applications to the experts' committee must be transferred by the committee's secretary, Mrs. Ricky Meyochas; according to the law of sex offenders' employment at particular institutions, passed by the Juvenile Court: No.25 Shoken St. Tel-Aviv 66532 03-5128222 Phone Number: A version of the amendment, as it appears in the official publications, is linked to this document: http://www.justice.gov.il/NR/rdonlyres/90414CB6-EAC0-42DB-9F16-372EC49738FB/20676/2241.pdf Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:32:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MinistersSpeechToEilatConference_14_6_10.htm#Mon,14Jun201007:31:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MinistersSpeechToEilatConference_14_6_10.htm Your Honor, Supreme Judge Emeritus, Meir Shamgar- Honorary head of the conference; Honorable Minister of Education, Mr. Gidon Sa'ar; Honorable Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Mrs. Sofa Landver; Director Generals of government ministries; representatives of the Fund of Friendship; heads of local councils; professionals and public officials; and finally- a special thanks to the media representatives who took it upon themselves to spread the highly importance massage of fighting violence; respectable audience, honorable guests! For a much to long of a period, the war against violence and crime has been perceived as a minor occupation, secondary to the other challenges the state of Israel is faced with. Have we become a much more violent society? Have we become a society which can no longer tell good from evil, wrong from right?! From what saw, I formed the opinion that we have become a society of diminished values. We must remember that today's youth is the face of tomorrow's society. I would like to share a particular piece of information with you- today; there are 22 thousand adolescents in Israel being investigated under warning by the police every year. Education and values are now being taken out of the homes and into the school yards, the training fields, the universities and so on. The police alone cannot handle it! Thus, violence, crime and public corruption have long been posing a substantial threat to the strength of the Israeli society. The simple citizen's sense of personal security continues to be low, despite the police data. On the one hand, there seems to be a complex issue at hand which includes several problems such as: A. The amount of reports made at the police by citizens is highly limited and is estimated at only 50%. B. According to a recently conducted survey, about 75% of the country's citizens believe Israeli society to be violent. C. The daily violence the simple citizen faces on the road, on the street, in schools and in the pubs, causes severe damage to the trust the citizens put in the law enforcement authorities and most of all in the police and the court system. D. There is a need for a wide ranged improvement of the treatment of the issue. The change must be long term in order to truly change the course of things. The state of Israel has done and continues to do a lot in order to cope with violence, delinquency and crime. There are hundreds of intervention plans, authorities and organization that put a lot of effort into this issue. There has also been extensive legalization. Even here, in this conference, you can see how wide the scope of the activity in this field is. The Israel police have made the struggle against violence its main goal for the past few years, and we heard the police commissioner stress that point yesterday. Many of the organizations of the third sector also took it upon themselves to deal with the issue. So, all in all- a lot of effort has been made. On the other hand, as I have already mentioned, the situation regarding violence is still very complicated. The numbers are hard to believe but in 2009, the crime and violent rates caused an accumulative financial damage estimated at about 15 billion NIS, which is a four percent increase compared to last year. Just for the sake of demonstration- 15 billion NIS is almost double the IPS's annual budget. For the citizens of Israel, this amount of damage is equal to about 2000NIS per person. For the past nine years, crime rates cost the citizens of Israel 140 billion NIS. It is a huge and inconceivable amount. Just imagine how many social and educational projects we could have sponsored with this money, how many kilometers of the fence on the Israeli-Egyptian boarder we could have built by now, how many police officers we could have requited: in simple mathematic terms- 15 billion NIS equals 60 thousand police officers!! I say it loud and clear- give us 1 billion!! With an addition of only 1 billion to the Ministry budget, we could have diminished the crime rates on the street by the dozens in no time!! And in reality, what we are witnessing is not a decline in most phenomenons, but the opposite- a continuous increase of violent offenses: Old ladies are being robbed on the streets and in their homes; children are stabbed in the parks; and alcohol is flowing in the streets. As I entered my position as the Minister of Public Security, I tried to comprehend the gap which exists between the immense effort that we put into the cause and the actual situation on the streets. In addition, I also found gaps in several other fields:  We don't deal in prevention enough.  The Ministry of Public Security worked closely with over 70 local councils and did a wonderful and important work, but these activities received very low budgets, which did not allow the implementation of the wide scope systematic view of coping with this issue. Almost all we do is "put out fires" and we only respond to cases in which we are confronted with violence face to face. But most cases are not brought to our attention. Most violent cases occur at home, in the schools, in public parks and among the closest of people; and they are not reported! As I have mentioned, the reports are estimated at only 50%. Violence begins with anti-social behavior that is not stopped on time. Yet we have devoted very little resources on the subject of preventing anti-social behavior. Research teaches us that when anti-social behavior is stopped at a young age, there is usually a good chance that we could stop the child from becoming a violent adolescent. Still, we are very weak in this field. Law enforcement regarding lifestyle offenses was low on our priorities and we therefore worked a lot on municipal policing, which I am glad to say was approved two days ago at the ministerial committee headed by the Prime Minister, and we would soon issue a pilot program in the initial 15 cities.  What we are talking about is a substantial reform in the field, aimed at lifestyle offenses which target all of us. We do this by cooperation with two municipal mediation figures: A. A potential municipal policing force for the Israel police. B. A municipal supervision force with a wide range of authorities. All these constitute a crucial part of the police presence on the streets, which is something we are all in need of. In addition to that, there is also a massive netting of technological systems; a combination of all these elements is the thing that will help the municipal authority take the leap towards a sense of security for all citizens.  But what is probably our biggest problem is the fact that up until today, each of the authorities worked on their own: The Ministry of Education dealt with violence at the schools and the Ministry of Social services dealt with its target population. So there has hardly been any integration to deal with the wide scope of violence.  Another problem is that upon my entering this position, I asked to learn the national policy regarding violence in Israel, only to realize that there is no such policy. The various ministries formulated policy document, which in most part focus on the importance working on a systematic level, and stress the significance of cooperation among all the authorities and organizations. And yet, there is no policy dictating any inclusive treatment of the problem. For instance, today we are witnessing an insufferable distance between the time an offense is committed and the time the punishment is given. We must create a stern and aggressive deterrence by giving the proper punishment a short time after the offense has been committed. The court system does indeed suffer from a great work load but we must optimize our work. The equation ought to be simple: a fast and effective punishment. For example, yesterday there was another tour of the scene crime on the Tel-Baruch beach in Tel-Aviv, where Arye Karp was murdered in August of 2009. Almost a year passed and justice has yet to be made with the murderers and there is no way of knowing how long this case is going to go on. This situation must change. The wide scope of violent events, the crime scenes and the communities involved, forces us to make a substantial, grand and strategic move; the move must be made on an all inclusive national level, in order to generate a long lasting real change. Following my entrance into this position I studied thoroughly the "City Without Violence" program. The greatest strength of this program as far as I am concerned is the fact that it never once neglected the aspect of coping with violence. The program also treats children and adolescents of all ages, both in the municipal arena and in various intervention programs, as well as a verity of aspects of coping with violence. The "City Without Violence" program rose from the initial 12 cities to 84 cities and local authorities. We made sure that there were enough sources, we chose the participating authorities and we began the operation. (The "City Without Violence" program proved itself statistically, by a decrease of dozens of percents in vandalism and violent acts in those cities where the model of the program is implemented. My vision is to implement the program in every local authority in Israel. In order to realize this vision and for the program to be implemented in an optimal manner, we must first implement a national policy regarding the issue; a policy which will actually express the vision, the interest and the direction of activity of all the cooperation government ministries. A perennial program will then derive from that national policy, and it will include the national priorities as well as additional resources. I believe that a national program on the issue of coping with violence should include, in addition to a systematic activity, also a wide range treatment of further issues that will complete the picture in the eyes of the citizens and create trust. Because there is a rule of the law in Israel and the law enforcement authorities cooperate with each other and work relentlessly and in an unbiased manner in treating each offense, each criminal and each violent occasion. I will now mention several of the fields we are operating in at the moment: A. The field of substantial law enforcement concerning the takeover of national lands and illegal construction. B. Increased law enforcement when dealing with traffic offenders. In the last few months and in cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation, the following improvements have been made in the department of transportation: A. Dozens of new police cars have been purchased and police officers joined the force; all excising the regular budget. B. Professional deterrence combined with quality service provided by the police in all fields of its authority. At the same time, focus was placed on minority populations that have been neglected for many years. The Arab population has been neglected for many years both by the local authorities and by law enforcement authorities and little has been done for this population in terms of civil service, which is now the main focus both for me and for the ministry. C. Completing the foundation of the Witness Protection Authority, and integrating it into the law enforcement system, as a motivating factor for people to testify against criminals. D. Additional resources were allocated for therapy and rehabilitation of felons, who were tried and are currently at the IPS imprisonment facilities (seen as over 60% return to prison). E. Carrying out a program to encourage adolescents from such ethnic minorities as: Arabs, Druze, Bedouin and Circassians, as well as the youth of the ultra orthodox Jewish community (as part of their National Service) to serve the various programs of the Ministry of Public Security. This service will be the equivalent of the military service fulfilled by most Israeli youths. This might have significance for integration of the minority populations in Israeli society, since it will arouse both in them and in the Israeli youths serving in the army the sense that the burden is equally carried. F. Making the law enforcement authorities into a national priority so that it may be operated on a systematic level for prevention, education and enforcement. In conclusion, I wish to clarify: Israeli society deserves a better lifestyle, and a lower rate of crime and violence. I will therefore continue to struggle relentlessly for this cause and will do all I can to raise the Ministry of Public Security on the list of national priorities. Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:31:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/OmbudsmanReport2009.htm#Mon,7Jun201006:19:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/OmbudsmanReport2009.htm On Tuesday, May 25th 2010, retired Major General of the police ombudsman, Hanna Keller (Ohrenstein), will submit a report, as ordered by the law, to the Minister of Public Security, KM Yitzhak Aharonovitch, and to the chairman of the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee, KM David Azoulay; summarizing the 2009 working year. The report will be submitted in the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee's conference room and in the presence of the committee members. The report summarizes the activities of the Ombudsman for Police and Prison Service Personnel throughout the 2009 working year, and includes among others a review of the ombudsman's authorities, data regarding the extend of the ombudsman's activities, and a description of the way various complaints have been received and treated. Main data: The data indicates that in 2009 there has been an increase of 18% in the number of complaints issued as well as an increase of 29% in the number of applications to the ombudsman for preliminary consultations. The number of complaints issued at the IPS has increased by 24%, while the number of complaints issued at the police has increased by 16%. The main issue of complaint at the Israel Police, according to the report, was the salary issue, followed by the commander- subordinate relationship issue. The report also indicates dissatisfaction on the part of non-commissioned officers and junior officers, and particularly among officers ranked as commanders, regarding the salary issue. The main issue at the IPS is the terms of service and salary, followed by the commander- subordinate relationship issue. According to the report, the working year of 2009 was also characterized by a decrease of 3% in complaints regarded as just, and the statistic currently indicates 33% of such complaints. It must be clarified that the largest decrease at the Israel Police is of 4%, while the number of just complaints issued at the IPS has increased by 6%. The largest number of complaints issued at the Israel Police came from the officers of the Israeli Border Police, followed by the northern district. The largest number of complaints issued at the IPS came from the southern district, followed by both the central and the northern districts (with only minimal gaps between the two). 8% of the overall complaints issued at the police were submitted by boarder police officers fulfilling their regular service at the border police and at certain unites of the Israel Police. Police officers fulfilling their regular service constitute about 21% of the alignment of police forces. On this issue, it appears that there has been an increase of 4% in complaints submitted by police officers fulfilling their regular service. 8 % of all complaints submitted by prisoner guards came from the Prison guards fulfilling their military service in the IPS, who constitute 12% of all alignment of forces at the IPS. There has also been an increase of 1% in the number of complaints submitted by prison guards fulfilling their regular service at the IPS, compared to the 2008 data. Amendments and Annihilation of Deficiencies: The investigation process conducted throughout the working year has resulted in several systematic amendments and the annihilation of widespread deficiencies: The issue of compensations for police officers fulfilling their regular service and officers serving in a particular unit of the border police has been settled. It has been discovered that officers serving in that particular unit were not compensated for additional combat, and were thus deprived of their rights compared to police officers fulfilling their regular service at other units of the border police, who fulfilled similar tasks. A regulation regarding the regularization of a full 40 month service in the IDF Nahal unit (and not a mere 36 month period), has been amended and published. The IPS has investigated and amended a regulation that aims to prevent discrimination against any prison guard during the implementation of the rotation principal. It has thus been clarified hat no guard, who has been transferred to another prison, will be positioned at a lower rank than the one he had assumed at the former prison. The consecutiveness principal is crucial to the prevention of harm that might be caused to the status and chances of promotion of any prison guard, who has been transferred to another position as part f the rotation process ordered by the IPS ombudsman. It has been determined that the transportation expenses of prison guards will be regularized, in case there are no available means enabling the prison guards to arrive at their place of employment via public transportation or an organized ride provided by the IPS. In order to properly treat the vast amount of complaints submitted by the prison guards living in the northern district, many of whom are members of the Druze community, who wish to relocate their service from the central district of the IPS to a prison closer to their place of residence; a committee has been founded that would examine the overall requests and priorities them according to each officer's individual needs and personal reasons. The transfers will only be possible on the basis of open spots and the committee's rating. Nonetheless, the is still a need to internalize and implement an organizational approach to the issue of commanders' attitude towards the subordinates, in particular- respecting the subordinates' right to submit a complaint and have it investigated. Mon, 7 Jun 2010 06:19:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/PreventingEmploymentof+SexOffenders+in+Particular+Institutions29_4_10.htm#Tue,25May201004:44:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/PreventingEmploymentof+SexOffenders+in+Particular+Institutions29_4_10.htmThe Ministry of Public Security is hereby notifying the public that according to the Israel State Law (2001) of preventing the employment of sex offenders in specific institutions, it is forbidden to admit any adult to work at various institutions for minors (under the age of 18), or for the mentally or developmentally disabled, whether voluntarily or not; unless it has been approved by the police that that particular individual does not pose a threat to the boarders of the institution due to any convictions of sex crimes. This comes on the heels of the news, published all over the media (on April 29, 2010), about the sex offender who was hired as an orderly at a hospital children’s ward and was arrested for sexually molesting an under aged girl, who was hospitalized there that day. Among the institutions and establishments particularly mentioned in the law are: Various educational establishments for minors Youth movements and various community centers Zoos and amusement parks Gyms and swimming pools that admit minors Transportation services for minors (e.g. school busses), or for the mentally or developmentally disabled Arranging field trips or holidays for minors, or for the mentally or developmentally disabled Providing security for minors Hospital children’s wards and children’s clinics Clinics or establishments for the mentally disabled Youth clubs, daycares, treatment centers, or rehabilitation work centers for the mentally or developmentally disabled Anyone, using the services of any of those public institutions or establishments, who might have reasonable grounds to suspect that the institution/establishment is employing unauthorized workers or volunteers, may approach the Israel Police in this matter; thus aiding the police in preventing more cases of sexual assault. Tue, 25 May 2010 04:44:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/TurningPoint4_23_5_10.htm#Tue,25May201004:33:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/TurningPoint4_23_5_10.htmFor the fourth year in a row, the national home front drill code-named "Turning Point 4", is on its way. This year the drill will take place between the 23rd and the 27th of May, 2010 The national home front drill, code named "Turning Point 4", is a nationwide systematic home front drill, which takes place every year. This drill examines the ability of various systems within the State of Israel to function in a scenario of war. The drill will examine the perception of operation at the home front, as well as its perception of taking control during various emergencies. The drill will also exhibit the implementation of the lessons learned during the Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead, as well as the lessons learned during the second "Turning Point" drill. The drill is lead by the Ministry of Defense's National Emergency Authority- "Rachel" (NEMA), which was established in September 2007, to centralize the work of Israel's various military and civilian authorities in times of a national security crisis or a natural disaster. The current drill is a collaborative project between the home front command, the NEA, the Israel Police, Magen David Adom, Israel Fire and Rescue services, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, government ministries and local authorities. The Main Idea of the Drill It is a progressing drill, which examines the ability of various systems within the State of Israel to function in a scenario of war, according to the home front's operation perception. The drill will include emergency simulations at the Ministry of Public Security, the Israel Police and the IPS. An information center was set-up at the Ministry of Public Security, which will form up-to-date situation reports at any given moment, so as to enable the Minister of Public Security to make the decisions, necessary for the execution of his responsibilities for maintaining the public's security. Representatives of the ministry were positioned in the various Situation Rooms to receive and report constant updates during the drill. The Minister of Public Security, Mr. Yitzhak Aharonovitch, conducted several discussions and situation evaluations to closely asses the readiness of the ministry and its authorities (the Israel Police and the IPS) for various emergencies, as well as for the "Turning Point 4" drill. The current drill is a widespread drill, the participants of which are the authorities responsible for aiding the home front in times of war. This includes: government ministries, local authorities and authorities responsible for national infrastructures. The drill will be conducted by a complex outline and include a drilling of all security systems, which will simulate scenarios of war on all sectors, including: missile attacks, events of sabotage and nationwide disruptions of order. This year will be the second year in which the home front command will request the public to also exercise the crisis drill of entering the secured space in every home and building. On Wednesday, the 26 of May at 11:00, the entire civil home front of Israel will be drilled. An alarm will be sounded, of high and low pitches, throughout the country for a minute and a half; after which the public will practice entering the secured spaces and receiving briefing from security authorities. Apart from the national alarm, local alarms in various parts of the country will also be sounded throughout the week. Detailed information regarding the various sections of the country where the alarms will be sound and their times will be published in the media. The purpose of the drill alarm is to drill the general public in entering the secured spaces they have chosen, and to examine the regularity of the alarms in the country. The Purpose of the Drill To draw conclusions from the previous drills, as well as the Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead. To improve the deployment and the response level of Israel's home front, on both the national and the systematic level, based on inter-organizational coordination and the combined activities performed during times of war in particular, and at other times of crisis such as natural disasters as a whole. Improving the readiness of the Ministry of Public Security, the Israel Police and the IPS, to execute their responsibilities at the various times of crisis. What to do when the Siren is Sound? According to the orders of the home front command: you must enter the pre-prepared secured space, and stay there for the duration of time specified in the warning given in each area of residence. Preparations made by the Ministry of Public Security As part of the preparations for the drill, Head of the Ministry's Operations and Emergency Directory, Deputy Inspector General Chaim Cohen, conducted an emergency educational program on the topic of "the perception of control at the home front and establishing a situation report." On the day of the program, main points of "Turning Point 4" were presented. The Achievements required of the Drill by the Ministry of Public Security Implementing the lessons learned during the Second Lebanon War and Operation Cast Lead, as well as the "Turning Point 3" drill. Making the transition from routine to crisis situation. Operating and drilling the ministry's Security Advisor & Secretariat at times of emergency. Constructing a full and up-to-date situation report for the Minister of Public Security. Operating and drilling the emergency alignment. Taking part in the national information distribution forum. Working according to the national emergency codes and the national activity schedule. Operating a Crisis Management team lead by the ministry's Director General, as well as operating the ministry's logistic staff lead by the Deputy Director General. Conducting discussions with the various authorities over the relevant dilemmas and forming policy recommendations for the Minister of Public Security, according to the current situation assessment. Also, holding discussions in the government and the cabinet. Distributing the minister's policy and the assessment summaries to the authorities subjected to the ministry and to its representatives. Tue, 25 May 2010 04:33:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/EconomicDamageDueToCrime2009_26_4_10.htm#Mon,26Apr201010:18:33GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/EconomicDamageDueToCrime2009_26_4_10.htmThe financial damage caused by the crime rate in Israel in 2009 is estimated at 14.7 billion NIS, which is a 4% increase compared to the previous year. The Minister of Public Security, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, is working very hard in cooperation with the ministry's Director General, Hagai Peleg, to promote the field of public security and place it highly on the list of national priorities. "Crime in Israel has many ugly faces", says Minister Aharonovitch "investing in public security will therefore produce both a moral and financial profit." The financial damage caused by the crime rate in Israel in 2009 is estimated by the Ministry of Public Safety at 14.7 billion NIS, which is a 4% increase compared to 2008. According to t a report made by the ministry's Planning, Budget & Monitoring Department, the increase in financial damage was registered despite a decrease in reported crime. In 2009, as reported, the financial damage caused by crime, reached the sum of 14.7 billion NIS, which is about 560 million NIS more than in 2008. The increase in financial damage was registered for the second year in a row; while at the same time the rates of reported crime continued decreasing, so much so that a decrease of 2/7% was registered in 2009. This phenomenon is expressed by an accumulative increase of about 13/5% in the average financial damage in every report submitted since 2007. In 2009, fraud offenses constituted the largest portion of the financial damage (about 27.1%), for the very first time since the ministry began assessing the financial damage caused by crime. Nonetheless, the portion of property offenses decreased to only 26% of the overall financial damage. Despite the increase in financial damage, the financial damage caused in the field of personal security offenses which is comprised of offenses that significantly influence the sense of personal security, has been stable throughout 2009 (with only a minor increase of 0.1% compared with 2008). In 2009, the extent of the damage caused by crime has been estimated at 1.9% of the overall homebred produce, which was in itself estimated at an average of about 1,977 NIS per person. The accumulated financial damage caused by crime during the years 2001-2009 has reached, according to the estimation of the Ministry of Public Security, up to about 139.5 billion NIS. Similarly to the “risk premium” that is taken for terrorist risks, the struggle against crime and the attempts to minimize the financial damage caused by it should also be given the proper attention. Intensifying the struggle against crime and diminishing the financial damage caused by it, would eventually lead to many improvements in the various fields of the Israeli market, and would also contribute to the creation of an infrastructure necessary to the financial growth of the Israeli market. The Ministry of Public Security, much like its counterparts around the world, views the statistics of the financial damage caused by crime, as the main tool for the planning and examination of a more efficient allocation of the limited public resources, both on an administrative and an international level. In light of said findings, the national planning as a whole and the public security planning in particular must be based upon: A national preference of the field of public security The continuation of the effort to prevent the classic areas of crime and enforce the law in every area, as well pay particular attention to the multitude of offenses in the field of personal security. Analysis of the phenomenon and the types of offenses, which cause substantial financial damage such as fraud offenses; much preference should also be given to the construction of action plans to annihilate such offenses. According to the Minister of Public Security, Yitzhak Aharonovitch: “The war against crime must receive a larger and more significant national preference. Israel’s national strength is primarily an internal one. Therefore, to challenge the Israeli rule of the law means one thing and one thing only- a threat upon the very existence of this state. When the crime rate diminishes, the economy is exhilarated which leads to further investment in the inhalation of crime, and so on. Crime in Israel aims to harm our basic moral value, and at the same time manages to damage the Israeli economy. The government has more than once, invested many millions and billions in various national programs. But we must realize that investing in the war against crime will produce vast economic gains for the country, by preventing both the direct economic damage caused by crime and any future possible financial damage. The economy of entire systems, interwoven with one another, will be exhilarated, so that we will witness the improvement of the legal system, the health care system, the welfare services, the educational system and all the law enforcements authorities. I have no doubt that the investment in public security bears with it great accolades, and that the war against crime is a highly lucrative business.” Currently, the full report is only available in Hebrew Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:18:33 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MemorialDayCeremony_19_4_10.htm#Mon,19Apr201004:32:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MemorialDayCeremony_19_4_10.htmA ceremony marking Israel's Memorial Day and 62nd Independence Day was held in the Ministry of Public Security on Thursday, May 15. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Public Security, Yitzhak Aharonovitch; the Director General of the Ministry, Hagai Peleg; the Deputy Director General of the Ministry, Yoel Levi; the Ministry employees and members of bereaved families. The Minister of Public Security, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, spoke about the main activities of the Ministry over the past year and thanked the Director General and all the employees for their hard work. "I only outline the policy; you are the ones that implement it out in the field. This is an excellent opportunity to thank you all for your work, spirit and friendship." Yoel Levi, Deputy Director General of the Minister addressed the participants: "For the past 62 years we have lived in an independent, blossoming and vibrant state with a unique and modern police force, a glorified army, impressive high-tech and export companies, and world renowned scientists and researchers. "We flourished the desert, established magnificent cities, and are far from quitting; all this when only 65 years ago we were led to our death without a future of hope. "Our independence was not given to us on a silver platter; we paid a very high price of the lives of our fallen soldiers whom we commemorate on Memorial Day, right before Independence Day. "We proved our faith and hope by rising from the ground and proving that our revival is possible and practical. We are all convened here, the people of Israel's homeland security, to remember our fallen and celebrate our 62nd independence day. The sharp, difficult and almost impossible transformation from Memorial Day to Independence Day reflects the balance of hope and despair, and happiness and pain which characterizes the being of the State of Israel since its establishment. "As we embrace Memorial Day, we bow our heads in memory of our fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks. We remember them all and treasure their memory in our hearts. As the day ends, we will raise our heads with pride and celebrate our 62nd independence. We are no longer a state on its way; we are an existing, strong, renewed and advanced state." Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:32:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/RiskyBehviorPrevention_12_4_10.htm#Mon,12Apr201009:22:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/RiskyBehviorPrevention_12_4_10.htmRecently, a day of "preventing risky behavior" was conducted at the Sha'ar Ha'negev educational establishment, in the presence of 1,100 eleventh and twelfth graders. This activity was initiated by the head of the local council in cooperation with the Metzila division, the Anti Drug and Alcohol authority, school councilors, and the management of the educational establishment. This prevention project, in which the tenth, the eleventh and twelfth graders all participated, was conducted at the establishment for the very first time with the goal of making it into a yearly tradition. The principal, Mr. Arale Rothstein, opened the day by saying: "on this day of prevention, I will tell you all the Do's and the Don'ts". He then called all the students to realize their rights and duties, and to take responsibility for their actions by conducting a brave dialogue with the adults of the establishment. The Sha'ar Ha'negev educational establishment is comprised of seventh graders up to twelfth graders. 40% of the students come from local communities, and the others come from either the neighboring towns of Sderot and Netivot, or the nearby communities. Throughout the day, various workshops were conducted on the issue of risky behavior among adolescents. At the end of the day, teenagers of various age groups participated in a play and a lecture; this served as a both a fun and a visual summation of the day's activities. As part of the project, professionals in the field of adolescent behavior conducted workshops on the following issues: Gambling away your money- A workshop which was founded as a result of the growing percentage of teenagers involved in gambling, and which also dealt with the issue of addiction. Rescuing and Saving- A lecture given by a rescue specialist who had participated in many rescue operations, most of which were a result of drunk driving, and who had evacuated many killed and wounded from the scene of the accident. "Can't get you off my mind"- Learning about healthy relationships. Dealing with the issues of love, relationship and violence within relationship; defining each partner's needs; and setting each partner's boundaries. Alcohol and Violence- Understanding the concept of personal accountability. This workshop examines a true stabbing incident which occurred at a night club. During the workshop, the participants held a trial, during which they examined the individual's personal accountability for violent conduct under the influence of alcohol, as well as each individual's personal accountability when a group of friends goes out to a night club. Minimizing the bond of silence- The difference between telling on one's friends and saving them: friends as guardians. This workshop deals with the most difficult decision facing a teenager in this type of situation: should they report their friend's risky behavior and risk being called snitches? The lecture given during this workshop was accompanied by scenes from movies. Adolescents: Drugs and Parents- During this workshop, the participants viewed the movie "Traffic" and held a discussion about the behavior of the "adults" and "adolescents" in the movie, as well as the characters' correct and incorrect reactions regarding drugs. Who governs whom? Do we govern our bodies or do the substances govern us? The workshop deals with the effect of peer pressure and the necessary tools one must acquire in life to cope with it, as well as the role of true friendship. Taking violence into our own hands- The workshop deals with the importance of the law and focuses on the crime of violence. During this workshop a discussion was held regarding the legal process, and the participants examined how violence develops. Social influence & Making decisions to prevent risky behavior- This workshop focuses on a conversation with the students, aimed at providing them with critical tools that would aid them in their decision making process. At the end of the workshops, the younger classes watched the play "teens of 2010: Risks and Chances"; a play dealing with the hardships of living in the 21st century, including the influence of television and internet on our lives and how to garner actual change without preaching or threatening. At the same time, the twelfth graders participated in a lecture entitled" How to be a superstar driver? Only in the movies". The lecture was meant to drastically intensify the awareness of proper driving among adolescents who are about to receive their drivers' licenses. This lecture was given in light of the multitude of road accidents in Israel. The Metzila division has been operating various prevention programs in Sha'ar Ha'negev since 2010. All programs are selected according to the complex nature of the population of local communities, the Kibbutzim, the education center and the student village, and also due to the large distances between the small communities. As part of Metzila's work within the community, it operates five main projects: "Listen to me"- Workshops for parents and teenagers, held in the local communities, for the prevention of violence, alcoholism and risky behavior. Therapeutic horseback riding for teens at risk, for the prevention of violence and the placement of those teens in the educational system. Coping Programs- Workshops held in the student center on the subject of prevention. "For the sake of others"- A summer activity consisting of teenagers volunteering in the community during the summer. "White Nights"- Operating activity and entertainment centers during the nights of the summer vacation. There are also various other activities being conducted that are a result of a collaboration between the Metzila coordinator, Naftali Sivan, and other local authorities including a local paper called "Samim Aleynu" which sheds light on adolescents' behavior, updates the parents on possible risky behavior on the part of the adolescents, and inspires the parents to act in response. Furthermore, informative programs are also carried out within the community so that participants may understand and internalize the nature of risky behavior. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:22:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/EfficiancyPlanForMinistry_7_4_10.htm#Wed,7Apr201008:51:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/EfficiancyPlanForMinistry_7_4_10.htmThe Ministry of Public Security in cooperation with the Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service and the Ministry of Finance adopted the "Brodet Committee Report" approach regarding the field of Public Security The Ministry of Public Security published a Request for Information (RFI) today, in order to conduct a general examination of the Ministry and other authorities subjected to it: The Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service (IPS), the National Authority against Drugs and Alcohol and the Israel Witness Protection Authority. The request also regards the necessity to compose a general perennial efficiency plan. The Ministry, which promotes this project in correspondence and cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and other authorities, intends to generate a substantial improvement and upgrading in the activity level of both the ministry and other authorities in order to reach the goals of the ministry and other organizations to an optimal extant. Furthermore, the Ministry also intends to formalize an efficiency plan with regards to all monetary resources and budgets available to both the ministry and the authorities subjected to it. The project was initiated by the Minister of Public Security, MK Yitzhak Aharonovitch, as part of his policy for both the ministry and the authorities subjected to it. As part of this project, the ministry intends to examine structural issues, processes and budget issues regarding the various authorities; as well as formalize an efficiency plan for the various authorities subjected to the ministry. In order to execute the project, the ministry intends to be aided by an external firm which will be in charge of implementing the project. The extent and complexity of such a project requires the aid of an external factor which specializes in the fields relevant to the project; a factor which will contribute the experience and methodology that are proven necessary to the success of the project and the fulfillment of its goals. The Ministry of Public Security ascribes great importance to the project, which is why a steering committee led by the Director General of the ministry, Mr. Hagai Peleg, has been established in order to manage this project. Authority factors from the Israel Police, the IPS and the Ministry of Finance also partake in the committee. Publishing the Request for Information constitutes a preliminary stage, which will allow the ministry to formalize the contents of the project and plan its manner of execution. In due course, the ministry intends to publish a tender for the election of the external factor which will aid in the implementation of the project. Considering the essence of this project, as well as its importance and extent, the Ministry of Public Security predicts that publishing the Request for Information will generate great interest among the leading consultant firms in Israel. This project is part of a series of activities taking place in the Ministry of Public Security, for the purpose of examining main issues and processes regarding the policies that the ministry is in charge of. Wed, 7 Apr 2010 08:51:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/2009InIPS_7_4_10.htm#Wed,7Apr201008:49:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/2009InIPS_7_4_10.htm The 2009 working year summation conference of the Israel Prison Service (IPS) took place on March 24th 2010, in the Congress Hall in Haifa. The conference was held in the presence of the Minister of Public Security, the Ministry's Director General, the IPS Commissioner, the IPS senior command personnel, former commissioners, bereaved families and pensioners. In his speech, Minister Aharonovitch specified the unique nature of the organization, and praised the high motivation that its staff members have been exuding as well as the organization's achievements over the last year. The minister also addressed several issues, including making a first statement regarding the transferring of the private prison in Be'er-Sheva into the hands of the IPS. "In light of the high-court's decision" claimed the Minister, "all measures were taken to transfer the facility to the full handling of the IPS. By doing so, we will be able to add a new and improved imprisonment facility to the organization. "I can inform you that the Ministry of Finance has almost completed its work together with the Ministry of Public Security, and so the IPS will begin managing the new facility very soon. This imprisonment facility provides new imprisonment space, and yet I believe that the space would suffice only until next year at best, so we would have to formalize a plan for the upcoming years. Still, I have no doubt that this new imprisonment space that was added to the IPS is essential. This is yet another major step in the struggle to increase the capabilities of the law enforcement authorities." When addressing the prison guards, the Minister said: "You are the human compass of the State of Israel. A state is measured according to its citizens, and also by its treatment of its prisoners. Those are the reasons for which we require the best facilities." The minister also addressed the issue of the prison guards' working conditions: "Only yesterday I expressed how ashamed I was of the police officers' salaries," he said "and I will not compromise maintaining the proper salaries of the prison guards and the needs of the organizations". From the Minister's Speech at the conference: It is important to remember all those who have contributed so much, for generations, to the IPS Organization, and I would therefore like to open by praising their work: Mr. Shauli Levy (1987-1991); MK Ariye Bibi (1993-1997); Mr. Amos Azani (1997-2000); Mrs. Orit Adato (2000-2003); and all the family members of deceased commissioners: Ehud Gera - grandson of Giri Gera, Of Blessed Memory (1949-1951); Yaela- daughter of Ariye Nir, Of Blessed Memory (1958-1976); and Yael- daughter of Gabi Amir, Of Blessed Memory (1991-1993). The IPS is a unique organization nowadays. It is a highly professionalized organization; exclusive in its field. The IPS is also a modest and an almost struggling organization, operating far away from the limelight. It cannot be denied that in Israel, we often encounter an unwillingness to either hear of the IPS or take interest in its sainted work, as society tends to shed light on it only when 'intriguing' incidents occur and even then it is done with an outrageous lack of accuracy. This lack of accuracy does not stem from evilness or a will to harm anyone, but it does however stem from the fact that in Israel, we often wish to overlook that which some would refer to as 'society's backyard'. Throughout 2009 and during recent years, the organization has dealt with various issues and processes. It had also undergone a structural reorganization, a change in training methods, cases of suicide, having to deal with infiltrators into the country, and transferring the management of imprisonment spaces for detainees from the charge of the Israel Police to the IPS. The perennial plan has therefore been modified to suit the new policy. The road that the IPS must follow is not an easy one: On the one hand, there are severe budget problems, logistical problems and even image problems; while on the other hand, there are the demands to uphold the highest of standards and the constant requirement to conduct reports. I will thus make sure to place you in the center of the Israeli public discussion; I will not allow for you to be forgotten, not even for a moment; and I will stand on my hind legs any time anyone seeks to attack the organization which must often remain silent. Your duty is to promote the aims and goals of the organization and cultivate the next generation. Such a mission is critical to the existence of the organization, and you stand at the center of this issue. The organization is currently undergoing many changes, as it is expanding and progressing. Such changes include: the move to a national imprisonment organization which brought upon a growth and an expansion; training a new generation of commanders who would be able to cope with the extended activity; the contribution of the IPS to the battle against crime in Israel; transferring the escort alignment to the IPS; coping with the problem of infiltrators, and various other activities. I would like to raise the issue of the crowdedness in the prisons. First and foremost, we must care for the prisoners. But we must protect society first- that is our main goal. The issue of infiltrators is a troublesome and complicated one. One the one hand, we must not hide the fact that the infiltrators from the unprotected Egyptian boarder are refugees, seeking shelter or work. Nonetheless, this wave of infiltrators must be stopped, so I'm glad that the Prime Minister has decided to accept my suggestion to begin building a fence. It is said that each year is a mere preparation for the following year. Therefore, the organization, being a crucial part of the law enforcement authorities, must be prepared for any national, criminal or security scenario, which might occur in our country and reach the doorstep of the IPS. You have chosen a difficult, inconvenient and mostly unrewarding path, but at the same time it is also a great privilege to be able to serve the State of Israel. It is due to you and to all the officers and prison guards of the Israeli prisons, that I am certain of the ability of the entire law enforcement system to successfully cope with any mission, and strive a head with any issue regarding the enforcement of the law and the imposing of order." I was only yesterday widely quoted stating at the summation of the work of the central district of the Israel Police, that I "am ashamed of the police officers' salaries." I insist that maintaining the police officers' and the prison guards' salaries as well as the needs of the organizations are not to be compromised, as far as I am concerned. This year was filled with reductions and harsh economic decrees that only weighed down those who already carry the sainted burden of rehabilitating and managing the prisoners as well as caring for them. Now that I have managed to stop the reductions from increasing, we can turn our attention to the matter of expansion. I will not allow for you to be harmed, and I will do everything to increase the means of organization as well as the welfare of the prisoners and their families. I will not allow for the service conditions to be tampered with and I refuse to listen to stories. Taking resources from the field of welfare has always been the easiest thing to do. But as long as I am minister, no one will tamper with the welfare of the prison guards and in fact, I will see to it that it's increased. Security and national strength demand complete devotion from the entire organization, and only by cultivating the organization could that be achieved. National strength is not just a slogan, but rather the essence of the existence of the State of Israel. The issue of border security, which receives the outmost national attention, is no more important than Public Security. To sum up on a personal note, I'm familiar with the work of the IPS. I wasn't born as the Minister of Public Security, but from all know of the IPS I'm proud to say that it is comprised of loyal and devoted service givers, who are filled with strength and belief, and who know that their sainted work upholds and strengthens the democratic nature of Israeli society. Best of Luck to You AllWed, 7 Apr 2010 08:49:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/AntiViolencePublicStage_22_3_10.htm#Mon,22Mar201010:58:35GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/AntiViolencePublicStage_22_3_10.htm"Everyone must understand that criticism is always legitimate, but violence is off limits" said the chairman of one of Hapoel Be'er-Sheva's supporters' organizations. Last week, a group of players, supporters and coaches gathered in Be'er-Sheva for a panel on the subject of defeating the violence phenomenon on the football fields. The panel gathered on the heels of the Hapoel Be'er-Sheva's coach Guy Azuri's resignation, due to him becoming a target of violent acts, as well as the owner of the team Alona Barkat's announcement that she too indents to leave at the end of the season due to the inappropriate behavior of some of Hapoel-Be'er Sheva's supporters. The panel was conducted as part of the implementation of the "Kicking Racism and Violence off the Football Fields" program. The program is run in cooperation with the Metzila Division at the Ministry of Public Security, the New Israel Fund, the Sports Administration at the Culture and Sport Ministry, The Israel Football Association and other local partners. The gathering was attended by the coach of the Hapoel Be'er-Sheva, Viko Hadad; the Hapoel Be'er-Sheva player, Evyatar Iluz; Maccabi Be'er-Sheva player Miki Atya; the Hapoel Be'er-Sheva goalies' coach, Asi Rachamim; the CEO of Hapoel Be'er-Sheva, Erez Badash; and the chairmen of the supporters' organization Hanan Abutbul and Aviv Sarusi. The audience at the event included the team players, the Hapoel Be'er-Sheva and Maccabi Be'er-Sheva youth division players, and quite a few of Hapoel's supporters. Hanan Abutbul, the chairman of the supporters' organization known as "The Camels", said: "Everyone must understand that criticism is always legitimate, but violence is off limits". "We thought that by a quiet activity we may achieve our goal and annihilate violence among the football crowds," added Erez Badash, "we might have been mistaken, but this was what we considered to be right at the time." The host of the event was Ziv Abergil, one of the most prominent sports journalists from the southern region. Abergil discussed with the members of the panel, the various factors which led to the attack on Guy Azuri, and consequentially also the measures that must be taken to defeat the atmosphere of incitement, so prevalent in the galleries. As part of the educational campaign of the "Prevention of Violence and Racism in the Football Fields" program, a series of panels conducted on public stages has been held all throughout the country. The Be'er-Sheva panel was the third in the series. The opening event was held last November at the Jerusalem municipality, and dealt with the background factors which led to the Beitar Jerusalem team being perceived as a nationalist team. In December 2009, the Haifa municipality in cooperation with the "Kicking Racism and Violence off the Football Fields" program hosted the city's football stars, who have "enlightened" the city by becoming role models for a peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs. The event was held in proximity to the city derby event The public stages enable the supporters (Jews, Arabs, foreigners and veteran immigrants) to meet with both past and present football stars. Through stories and experiences shared by the football stars themselves, they are also able to discuss the special status of football in Israel and around the world; and the status of football as a bridge to coexistence, tolerance and understanding of others. Furthermore, the stages also provide a platform for discussions regarding the challenges of promoting fair game, the need to defeat the demonstrations of racism and violence in the fields, and consequentially the role of the football stars as public leaders who are capable of generating a positive change is the public mind set. Immediately following the media event in Be'er Sheva, the Metzila division in cooperation with the Gavim group, the Be'er-Sheva municipality, the sports administration at the Culture and Sport Ministry and the Be'er-Sheva police station; all began working thoroughly with the club's management and with the various supporters' groups in order to implement an in-depth process of building trust and agreements between the different factors parties connected with the team. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:58:35 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/PolicingWithinTheArabCommunicty_22_3_10.htm#Mon,22Mar201010:31:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/PolicingWithinTheArabCommunicty_22_3_10.htmThis research was initiated in an attempt to analyze and characterize the standpoints and attitudes of the Arab citizens of Israel toward the Israel police, and to identify both the positive and the negative focal points of these attitudes. Furthermore, the research is also aimed at learning about the individual policing needs of this community; all in order to provide the management of the Ministry of Public Security with a tool that will serve to aid and support both the decision-making process and the construction of a policy for this community. As part of the research, a standpoint survey was conducted among the Arab citizens of Israel, regarding their attitudes toward the Israel police. The survey included 884 participants, constituting a representative sample of the Arab population living within the green line (not including the Druze population). The participants were interviewed over the phone in Arabic, according to a closed questions’ questionnaire. Data was further collected through conducting in-depth interviews with 15 representatives of the Arab population including media personnel, public activists, university graduates, educators and local leaders. Three focus groups were also organized, which were comprised of residents of both homogeneous and heterogenic communities of the Galilee area. The research was conducted by Dr. Yoav Santo and Dr. Nohad Ali from the Dialogue Institute, and was overseen by the steering committee chaired by the Ministry of Public Security’s chief scientist. The data collection lasted between 2001-2005. Based on the research findings and conclusions, detailed recommendation were composed which aim at aiding and improving the Israel Police alignment within the Arab-Israeli population. Currently, only the executive summary can be found in English. The full research paper can be found only in Hebrew. To read the executive summary, click here Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:31:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/StrategicDivisionEstablishment_16_3_10.htm#Tue,16Mar201004:35:48GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/StrategicDivisionEstablishment_16_3_10.htmThese days, a new division is being established in the Ministry of Public Security called "The Policy and Strategic Planning Division". Dr. Ram Gal, who was previously in charge of State land protection and had fulfilled several positions within the IDF planning division, was chosen as the head of the new division. The aim of the new division is to define and construct an inclusive policy in the field of security, which will be instilled, on a national level, among the various ministry units and the authorities subjected to it (the Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service, Israel's Anti Drug and Alcohol Authority and the Israel Witness Protection Authority). The vision for this division is to constitute a leading and professional authority in the field of strategic planning and national policy, within the sphere of Israeli public security. The division's mission is to form a policy and plan a strategy on a national level, in the field of public security. This will be done by implementing a systematic and organized process of collecting data and information; conducting scientific researches for the purpose of forming a policy; and developing an overall view of all the components that create the Israeli public security. The division's principal functions 1. To aid the Minister of Public Security in planning and determining the strategy of the ministry and the authorities subjected to it, within the field of public security (including the issue of crime and delinquency prevention, law enforcement, public order, penalty etc). 2. To develop scientific knowledge through managing and conducting researches in an effort to aid in the planning of a policy within the field of public security. 3. To implement an organized planning process of constructing a policy and a strategy based on research, data and information collection, identification and characterization of processes and agendas, conducting an annual and perennial status evaluation and constructing a situation report; all the while combining the goals of the Israeli government in the planning process. 4. To compose a current and inclusive national crime report. 5. To analyze the internal (national) work environment as well as the external (international) work environment; and identify processes, agendas, gaps and possible repercussions on the ministry's assignments and the authorities subjected to it. Furthermore, recommend key activity fields, core issues and secondary issues, which require further focus, , as well as on the countries which with which the cooperation on the field of public security is crucial and therefore requires particular focus. 6. To construct principals and guidelines for planning on a strategic level, so that they may constitute a basis for the ministry of public security's units and the authorities subjected to it, and serve the ministry in its annual and perennial work plan. This also includes setting the priorities for the focus on core activities, and presenting recommendations regarding the allocation of resources. 7. To perform evaluations, regulations and professional monitoring over the implementation of the guidelines that have been approved by the ministry's units and the authorities subjected to it (including forming the appropriate measures). 8. To uphold a professional working relationship with academic research institutions as well as with public and private organizations in Israel and abroad, for the purpose of promoting research, and developing knowledge in the field of strategic planning and the policy of the ministry of public security. 9. To develop methodologies for strategic planning and the policy regarding the field of public security. 10. To prepare a work plan for conducting poles and researches, and to initiate contracts with professional organizations abroad. This includes determining a work structure and regulating it, as well as supervising over the quality of the product and the service. 11. Compose policy documents and writing position papers based on research, on the work of the steering team and on administrative work. The division's organizational structure: The division will include the following three units: 1. Information and Knowledge Unit- a unit specializing in identifying and gathering current data, information, and knowledge from a variety of sources in Israel and abroad; and managing them for the purpose of creating the ground work for constructing policy and strategic planning. 2. The Strategic Research and Policy Unit- a unit specializing in conducting and managing research, for the purpose of aiding the policy and strategy planning in the field of public security. 3. The Strategic Planning and Policy Unit- a unit specializing in leading planning processes, and constructing the policy and the political decisions in the field of public security; all based on developing information from the research findings, and analyzing and processing data.Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:35:48 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MinisterVisitToHaifa_15_3_10.htm#Mon,15Mar201010:47:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MinisterVisitToHaifa_15_3_10.htm The minister of public security, Yitzhak Aharonovitch said during visit to Haifa: "A final decision regarding municipal policing will be given at the end of March, with 15 cities included in the pilot. The mayor will have will have a police force that will deal with quality of life issues." The Minister of Public Security, Yitzhak Aharonovtich, visited Haifa on Thursday, March 1st. The Minister visited the Haifa police station, met with the mayor of Haifa Mr. Yona Yahav, and presented him with his plans for the city of Haifa. During his visit with the mayor, Minister Aharonovitch said, among other things, that he will aid in reinforcing the traffic policemen in the city. This will be done so that the blocked roads may be opened up and the heavy traffic diminished by half, seen as the traffic jams damage the police's mobility and availability. The minister also mentioned that all the processes of reticulating the city with cameras, defining zone boundaries for the area, examining the possibility of detaching the Carmel region from Haifa and increasing the treatment of the city's Arab community, will all go on. The minister of public security raised several issues during his visit with the Haifa municipality and police: The Minister stated the importance of the police's presence in the city, stating that: "more than the citizens are bothered by the felonies themselves, they are bothered by the lack of an outstanding police presence and the lack of deterrence." Minister Aharonovitch referred to the police activity by saying: "the police have been very successful in all regards of its fight against nationwide crime, the crime families and public corruption. But all these merely constitute the background and scenery to a person's daily life. When a person returns home they are mainly bothered by the graffiti on the walls, by the noise outside, by their lamp being broken and by the fact that a pergola has been put up in the middle of the street." In his speech, the minister stressed the city's responsibility by saying: "we must remember that only by full cooperation from the local authority, could we succeed in diminishing the violence in the city. It ought to be an overall organizational operation. Only by combining the 'City without Violence' program with the welfare, the educational and the treasury authorities, and with a deterring legal system; could we really have a chance for an actual change." Regarding the implementation of municipal policing, the minister said that "the alignment of the municipal policing will be determined by the Prime Minister at the end of March, and we will begin the work." The minister further mentioned that all police officers that will join the alignment will be drafted from within the cities. "They will be people who grew up on the streets they will now be in charge of." And he went on saying that the municipal police force will not move out of the city even in times of emergency. This is contradictory to the existing regulation which allows drafting forces from all regions in times of emergency. As part of his speech, the minister mentioned that the municipal policing will not harm the work of the municipal inspection unit, saying that all inspectors who will work closely with the police will receive further authority such as a surveillance authority. The municipal police force will be comprised of fully qualified police officers with complete authority, under the command of the chief of police and with complete coordination with the head of the local authority. "It is impossible for the police force, with its missions and promotions, to only be in the hands of the local authority" claimed the minister. Regarding the public's sense of security, the minister said that "despite the statistics showing a decline in almost every area (except for murder, which has remained the same for many years), the public still has negative feelings regarding its safety." The minister had said many times before that he would rather lose in numbers but win in the intuition of the public. "If a father is afraid of sending his daughter to ballet class, it would matter if a hundred heads of crime families were behind bars." Regarding the increase in law enforcement and services in the Arab community, the minister stated that: "there are severe problems within the Arab community. We must increase law enforcement, but at the same time we must also increase the services and the building of infrastructures, and also to provide occupational solutions. The reality in which about 20% of the population causes over 40% of all criminal activities is unheard of." Finally, the minister stated that he will monitor the administrative work aimed at detaching the city of Carmel from the jurisdiction of the Haifa police and creating an independent police station. He also promised to act in favor of bringing the "City without Violence" program, the Metzila Division and the Israel Drug and Alcohol Authority into Haifa; and continue to of reticulate the city with cameras by implementing the "City without Violence" program. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:47:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MetzilainAraabaRegionalCouncil_15_3_10.htm#Mon,15Mar201010:01:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MetzilainAraabaRegionalCouncil_15_3_10.htm The Ministry of Public Security's Metzila division proved to be highly successful in its violence and crime prevention program, which took place in the Araaba regional council. The Minister of Public Security, Mr. Yitzhak Aharonovitch, was very impressed, during his visits to the Araaba regional council and other northern Israeli regional councils last week, with the Metzila department's vast activities that were taking place in the Araaba regional council. The activities are part of a violence and crime prevention program, which is run by the department and is implemented in about 20 non-Jewish regional council s around the country. The program operates by the cluster regional council s system, on the basis of a regional division. The Ministry of Public Security's Metzila division has been operating a variety of programs including violence and crime prevention Programs in the Araaba regional council for the past three years. The Minister of Public Security has been presented with a list of all the activities taking place in the Araaba regional council, which are as follows: An annual Extreme Sports program for teens at risk- currently, there are 20 adolescents participating in extreme sports activities on dry land, while 20 others participate in the "Anchor to Life" marine activities program, guided by sea scouts, in an attempt to help those adolescents overcome obstacles and improve their coping skills with pressure and risk factors. Theater Program- 10 adolescents are participating in a theatrical program, aimed at developing their awareness, both as individuals and as a group, as well as their creativity and artistic inclinations. Swimming Lessons Program- 40 adolescent boys and girls are participating in swimming lessons that aim to provide them with measures of adequate behavior, boundaries and self-discipline. Martial Arts and Self-Defense Program- 20 adolescent boys are learning to channel their anger and aggression through an engaging experience, generating a conscious and behavioral change. Extreme Sports Activity for Girls- 40 adolescent girls are participating in an activity aimed at providing them with the skills to overcome obstacles and improve their self-esteem. Extra Curriculum Activities' Program- 15 adolescents are participating in a scholastic program where they not only receive help with their school work, but also learn techniques of improving their scholastic abilities and their self-confidence. "Life in Colors"- an image perception workshop for 72 adolescent girls at risk, which strives to improve their inner image through make-up and cosmetic lessons, helping them to begin by an external change and hopefully internalize it. Parents Patrol- promoting parental involvement and raising parents' awareness about adolescents' clubbing and partying habits; a phenomenon which generates the ever growing drugs and alcohol problem around the regional councils. The Minister's visit to the local "Albochri" elementary school was attended by the head of council, Mr. Omar Nassar; acting head of council, Mr. Jmil Na'amna; council members; department managers; women's' clubs representatives; the regional Metzila coordinator; school principals; the Araaba regional council 's non-commissioned officer; the Misgav region police station commander; the Galilee police commander; chief of the Minister's staff, the aid to the Minister of Minority Affairs; the head of the minorities section at the Metzila department and the head of the Metzila department. During the visit, the Minister listened to a report describing the nature of the regional council and its inhabitants, including a reference to the Araaba regional council's specific problems of: violence, drugs, teen loitering, vandalism and unemployment. This was followed by a suggestion that the regional council is in need of an industrial area which will provide both occupation and a proper framework for many of the inhabitants. There was a further review of Metzila's activity within the regional council, from 2008 up to 2010, including a detailed review of the department's cooperation with the national program for teens at risk and with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services. The data presented to the Minister during his visit, indicates a substantial increase in the number of participants: an increase of up to three times the amount that had been registered at the beginning of the activity. This means that 356 of the regional council's inhabitants are assumed to be participating in the various activities initiated by the Metzila department over the recent year. Minister Aharonovitch informed the guests of a new project currently operated by the Ministry of Public Security: A preparatory course for the Israeli police's screening examines. The course is meant to prepare potential police candidates for their draft examinations and increase their chances of success. Minister Aharonovitch concluded his address by calling the regional council's inhabitants to join the ranks of the Israeli police.Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:01:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/SafeInternetDay_17_2_10.htm#Wed,17Feb201009:54:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/SafeInternetDay_17_2_10.htmToday marks the Israeli national safe internet day, titled: "The virtual world isn't out there. It's right here. It's reality". The national safe internet day focuses on enhancing the public awareness among parents and children about the dangers within the internet incases of unsupervised use, and the behavioral methods and concepts regarding the internet as a virtual tool. During the safe internet day, a national campaign takes place, creating awareness about safe surfing and potential risks. The day is held in cooperation with the Irael Police, the Ministry of Education, the IDF, the Israel Internet Association, Microsoft, and other organizations, foundations and corporate companies. The aim of the national safe internet day is to raise awareness among parents and children, alongside nurturing the abilities to identify and understand potential dangers, and abiding the law while surfing the net. Schools across the country hold special lessons on the use of the internet, safety precautions, methods of protecting the user, and support organizations in case of need. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:54:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MinisterialCommittee_19_1_10.htm#Wed,20Jan201006:50:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/MinisterialCommittee_19_1_10.htm The Ministerial Committee Against Violence, Chaired by the Minister of Public Security, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, convened on Tuesday, January 12. The committee reviewed the Ministry of Public Security's activities in the battle against severe crime – including legislation efforts, the extension of the City without Violence program, and the implementation of the Program against Alcohol Abuse in Israel. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Welfare, the Minister of Religious Services, the Deputy Minister of Pensioner Affairs, the Attorney General, representatives of the Ministry of Welfare and Representatives of the Israel Tax Authority. Minister Aharonovitch surveyed all the central programs the Ministry is currently promoting. "The Ministry under my supervision has embarked on a large scale work plan for treating anti-social occurrences which will compliment the law enforcement activities of the Israel Police and will strengthen the personal security and sense of security among all residents of Israel." In regards to expanding the "City without Violence" program (CWV), Minister Aharonovitch said: "The 'City without Violence' national program is one of the key projects of the Ministry. Following the implementation of the program, there was a dramatic decrease in the extent of violence in participant cities. The expansion of the CWV program to 78 cities is unprecedented in today's world and it positions second in the world after Britain in the resources investment in the prevention field. On one hand, we haven't reached our goals yet, but on the other hand, we certainly are on the right track. I call for all the government offices to intensify the resources they allocate to the program. In addition, Metzila, the Community and Crime Prevention Division in the Ministry has adapted its programs for around 70 cities in Israel and operate them correspondingly with the CWV program. Metzila will operate in cities which have no violence and crime prevention programs and that aren't members in the CWV program. It is an incredible program and I am convinced that we will be able to minimize the extent of violence in the Israel society and improve the personal security of the citizens of Israel." In regards to the national plan for minimizing alcohol abuse among youth the Minister is spearheading, the Minister stated that the Israel Anti Drug and Alcohol Authority is in its first stages of implementing the national program designed to reduce and minimize the alcohol abuse among the youth, thus minimizing the violence, delinquency and anti-social behavior which stems from the alcohol use. Minister Aharonovitch congratulated the Attorney General, Menahem Mazuz upon completing his term and thanked him for his work and devotion over the past six years in his efforts in the battle against crime, violence and law enforcement. "It has been years since we've had such as busy Attorney General," the Minister said, "it is not easy to stand alone and strong while confronting endless dilemmas. The battle against crime is a national mission which you lead extraordinarily. I have always felt that there is someone by my side in the battle against organized crime and in addition assisted through promoting bills and legislation processes in the field. For that I thank you on behalf of this committee for your work and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors." During the meeting, the Minister heard surveys on the CWV program, the activities of Metzila, the Israel Police alignment for the various programs and the activities of the Israel Drug and Alcohol Abuse Authority. The Legal Advisor of the Ministry of Public Security, Yoel Hadar, presented the legislation initiatives the ministry is promoting – including private bills by Knesset members in the fields of alcohol abuse, possession of knives, attacking private security guards, and the expansion of enforcement authority for private security guards. The meeting was concluded by Menahem Mazuz, the Attorney General, who surveyed the activities that took place over the past years in the battle against severe crime. The Attorney General thanked the Minister of Public Security for his kind words and mentioned that he is proud of the work that was done over the past years in the field of law enforcement and that it is important for him to care for the physical and human resources which allow the battle against crime continue. "Law enforcement is a basic foundation of a proper society. Every self respecting society must define law enforcement as a national goal. The Israel Police went through a 'blue transformation' and started to focus on its primary objective – the battle against crime."Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:50:00 GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/IPDelegationForHaiti_18_1_10.htm#Mon,18Jan201008:21:00GMThttp://www.mops.gov.il/BPEng/MOPS+News/IPDelegationForHaiti_18_1_10.htmThe Israel Police delegation to the Haiti disaster completed its preparations and departed to Haiti as part of the Home Front Command emergency delegation. The delegation is headed by Superintendent Ori Argman and includes professionals in the fields of forensic science, anthropology, finger prints, and pathology. Four of them delegation members were on the Israel Police emergency delegation to the tsunami disaster in Thailand in 2004. Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:21:00 GMT