Visitors take their seats during an interfaith memorial service held Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at Mt. Sinai Synagogue in Cheyenne to honor the dead from the Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and other acts of hatred. Dozens of community members came out in support. Wyoming Tribune Eagle/file
Mount Sinai Synagogue is aware of a potential security threat involving James Anthony Bauman, who made remarks before being released recently from the local VA hospital about joining far-right groups and shooting up a synagogue, but didn’t specify Mount Sinai. Courtesy
Visitors take their seats during an interfaith memorial service held Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at Mt. Sinai Synagogue in Cheyenne to honor the dead from the Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and other acts of hatred. Dozens of community members came out in support. Wyoming Tribune Eagle/file
Mount Sinai Synagogue is aware of a potential security threat involving James Anthony Bauman, who made remarks before being released recently from the local VA hospital about joining far-right groups and shooting up a synagogue, but didn’t specify Mount Sinai. Courtesy
CHEYENNE – The Mount Sinai Synagogue congregation is facing a possible security threat, officials there announced Tuesday on their Facebook page.
“We start today with something very serious,” Board President Dave Lerner wrote. “Last Thursday, the FBI notified Wyoming Department of Homeland Security that a man was due to be released from the VA hospital. The man had talked about joining far-right groups and shooting up a synagogue, but not specifically Mount Sinai.
“The FBI also said he owned a gun, but was not specific on what type. The first call Homeland made was to us. We were notified before the Cheyenne Police.”
The man, James Anthony Bauman, is noted to drive a green 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Colorado license plate number QCQ375.
Members of the synagogue met with representatives from the Cheyenne Police Department, the Wyoming Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security a few weeks ago following the events of a synagogue shooting in San Diego in late April, Lerner told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on Friday. These representatives were given a tour of the building and told when it would be in use, especially the schedule of the weekend services.
Following Bauman’s release from the Cheyenne VA, the FBI put out an alert about him, letting people know that he had discussed potentially joining an alt-right group and shooting up a synagogue. The Wyoming Department of Homeland Security contacted Lerner, letting him know about the possible threat.
Officials at the synagogue exchanged a number of emails back and forth with CPD, and they arranged to have officers sitting in marked police cars outside the synagogue during last Friday night’s and Saturday morning’s services, with the officers parked across the street and in front of the building. They stayed the entire time services were underway.
“We really appreciate the help that the Cheyenne Police provided us,” Lerner said. “Nothing happened during our services last week, thankfully. We don’t feel this issue reflects the people of Cheyenne, though. The people of Cheyenne are wonderful. They come to our events. They welcome us, and we want to do the same for them.”
The synagogue’s board of directors met Wednesday night and discussed the security issues. Lerner noted that they talked about what they should do for long-term security, such as installing security cameras and improving locks. They will also have a security official stationed at the building during services and special events permanently.
FBI Special Agent Amy Meyer from Denver’s field office told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on Friday there was no credible threat against any synagogue in the area, but the FBI also can’t comment on active investigations.
CPD spokesman Officer Kevin Malatesta said the department has provided extra patrols at the synagogue, which they would be doing until the threat is cleared. Since the threat was vague, they want to make sure they continue to patrol the area.
Although the synagogue will have more security at the building, Lerner said he wants the Cheyenne community to know they are still welcome to attend services and events.
“Jews have been here since the city was founded,” he said. “We’re not going anywhere. I want the public to know they are very welcome at Mount Sinai. If you’re Jewish, you should come and enjoy our services. If you’re not, but you’re curious about what we do, please come and ask questions. We’ll gladly show you around the building.”
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Ellen Fike is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle’s features editor. She can be reached at 307-633-3135 or efike@wyomingnews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @EllenLFike.