Who decided to station police at Sons of Jacob on Yom Kippur? - comment

A police officer stationed outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Yom Kippur evening was shot by a gunman, preventing a potential mass casualty event. The article questions who made the decision to post the officer, criticizes the federal security funding program as inadequate, and argues that Canadian Jews should not need to fundraise for basic protection.

On the evening of Yom Kippur, Const. Jeff Smith of the Belleville Police Service was stationed in an unmarked car outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario. A man with a shotgun, later identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward from Quinte West, opened fire on Smith. Smith returned fire, and a second officer also fired. Both Smith and Ward were hit; Smith is in critical but stable condition, Ward in life-threatening condition. About 25 people were inside for Kol Nidre services; no one inside was hurt. The synagogue's president, Norm Weddum, said the congregation had never received a threat. The article questions who made the decision to post an armed officer at that specific synagogue that night, noting that police have not explained the decision. The author criticizes the federal Canada Community Security Program, which covers up to 70% of security costs on a time-limited basis, arguing it is inadequate for small congregations that must raise the remaining funds themselves. Ontario Premier Doug Ford called Smith a hero. The author argues that Canadian Jews should not need to fundraise for basic protection and that the government should commit to a police presence at every synagogue on the High Holidays.