Providing a safe and welcoming environment at Shalom Park means continually looking for ways to strengthen the security of our campus. As our community and its needs evolve, we remain committed to making thoughtful investments that help everyone who comes to the Park feel safe. As part of that continued commitment, the Foundation of Shalom Park Board has approved two significant investments in our layered approach to security: the installation of a perimeter fence around the Shalom Park campus and the creation of an armed security program for specifically qualified FSP security officers.
The new perimeter fence will create a more clearly defined and secure campus while allowing Shalom Park to remain open and accessible during normal operating hours through designated entrances. In addition to providing greater control over access, it will help protect less visible areas of the campus and allow the Park to be fully secured after hours. The armed security program will be limited to select FSP security officers who meet rigorous standards for experience, screening, training, certification, and ongoing qualification.
The program will include comprehensive policies, specialized training, and ongoing oversight. Armed FSP security officers will not have access to the Charlotte Jewish Day School and Charlotte Jewish Preschool building interiors or playgrounds during the daily school hours. Both the perimeter fence and armed security program are slated for implementation in early 2027. Security is ultimately about more than the measures we put in place. It is about helping ensure that everyone who enters Shalom Park can focus on why they are here: to learn, worship, connect, celebrate, receive services, and take part in Jewish communal life.
These investments are part of our continued commitment to protecting that experience and ensuring Shalom Park remains a safe and welcoming home for everyone. More information about these important security investments will be highlighted in the November edition of the Charlotte Jewish News.
Chris Dozier
Director of Safety and Security
Foundation of Shalom Park