Key Takeaways
- The Hanukkah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach was deemed a high-risk event by the Community Security Group (CSG) due to its public location and previous security concerns.
- Despite this, a stronger police presence was not deployed, with only two junior officers present at the event.
- The event organizer, Mendy Ulman, reported that there were more police present at the previous year’s event, with a police car parked inside the event and officers stationed at the entrance.
- A CSG volunteer was among those injured in the mass shooting, which left two police officers critically injured.
- The circumstances of the shooting are now subject to three separate ongoing investigations: a critical incident investigation, a criminal investigation, and a coronial inquest.
Introduction to the Incident
The Hanukkah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach was marred by a mass shooting on December 14, which left two police officers critically injured and raised questions about the security arrangements in place. According to multiple sources with knowledge of the security arrangements, the Community Security Group (CSG) had deemed the event a high-risk event and had requested a stronger police presence. However, this request was not fulfilled, and only two junior officers were present at the event.
Security Concerns and Requests
Mendy Ulman, the son of Chabad Bondi’s chief rabbi and organizer of the event, described the CSG as "hyper-intense" on all security matters. He stated that the event was considered high-risk due to its public location in Archer Park, which is not typically used for Jewish community events. Ulman recalled that at last year’s event, there were more police present, with a police car parked inside the event and officers stationed at the entrance. He expressed surprise that there were not more police present at this year’s event, particularly outside the barricade.
The Shooting and Response
The shooting occurred when father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram began firing at a crowd of Jewish families from a footbridge off Campbell Parade. Two junior officers, Constable Scott Dyson and Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert, were critically injured in the shooting. Hibbert was shot in the head and shoulder as he tried to get members of the public to safety, while Dyson was shot when his car was sprayed with bullets as he arrived at the park. The circumstances of the shooting are now subject to three separate ongoing investigations: a critical incident investigation, a criminal investigation, and a coronial inquest.
Investigations and Response
The NSW Police Commissioner, Lanyon, has refused to answer questions about the security arrangements and risk assessment conducted ahead of the event. A spokesman for the NSW Police Minister, Yasmin Catley, stated that the minister was unaware of the CSG’s request for a stronger police presence. Lanyon has stated that the police response was based on the threat that existed at the time and that a lot of work is done between the police and the Jewish community to ensure public safety. However, the lack of a stronger police presence at the event has raised questions about the effectiveness of this approach.
Aftermath and Implications
The shooting at Bondi Beach has raised concerns about the security of public events and the effectiveness of risk assessments. The incident has also highlighted the importance of communication and cooperation between event organizers, security groups, and law enforcement agencies. The ongoing investigations will aim to determine what went wrong and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future. The incident has also had a significant impact on the Jewish community, with many expressing shock and concern about the lack of security at the event.
Conclusion
The shooting at the Hanukkah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach has raised important questions about security arrangements and risk assessments for public events. The fact that the CSG had deemed the event a high-risk event and had requested a stronger police presence, but this request was not fulfilled, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the security measures in place. The ongoing investigations will provide more information about what went wrong and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future. In the meantime, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing public safety and security at public events.
