New Director of Community Security for Jewish Palm Beach: Carson Nightwine Jr.

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Carson Nightwine, Jr. brings more than two decades of service for the U.S. government in various security and law enforcement positions. As Federation’s new Director of Community Security, Carson will oversee the security, training and resources for more than 40 centers throughout Jewish Palm Beaches in the midst of rising acts of hatred targeting the Jewish community.

Carson’s previous experience with the U.S. government was focused on domestic and international security programs, intelligence, investigations and safeguarding federal personnel. In 2022, he retired from the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service as one of the Assistant Special Agents in Charge of the Miami Field Office. Prior to that, he served as the Regional Security Officer in Cape Town, South Africa. His overseas service included roles in the U.S. Embassies in Baghdad, Iraq and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Over recent months, the Palm Beaches has seen a rash of antisemitic incidents. Leaflets containing antisemitic tropes and images were distributed in several local neighborhoods. Letters were sent to Jewish organizations throughout Florida spewing hatred against Jews. Threatening voicemails were left at several local synagogues. Perhaps most publicly, an image of a swastika was projected on a building in downtown West Palm Beach.

“The world is changing every day and so are the threats faced by the Jewish community. I am honored to lead the effort to protect the physical security of Jewish people and our sacred institutions,” shared Carson. “I’m here to support our entire community – from religious schoolteachers and directors, to clergy, to CEOs – with the goal of enabling people to feel safe and comfortable enjoying the beauty of Jewish life.”

Carson will oversee Federation’s community security and preparedness programs – notably J-Secure – aimed at ensuring the safety of partner organizations, synagogues, community events and other Jewish institutions. He will work with national and local law enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders; lead presentations and trainings for schools and synagogues on how to prepare and respond to emergencies and threats; conduct security assessments for Federation, partner agencies, synagogues and other community organizations; review security plans; and serve as a community liaison with law enforcement for emergency events.

Carson will work alongside Federation’s national partner, Secure Community Network (SCN), benefitting from SCN’s national security advisors, intelligence analysts and other professionals.

In addition to strengthening physical security in the community, Federation advocates to legislators to stand up to hatred. Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) played a leading role with drafting, development and advocacy of the Florida legislature passing H.B. 269 into law in April 2023. Federation also helps to secure state and national funding to bolster security at local Jewish institutions, with $1.13 million awarded to Federation, local synagogues and Jewish organizations to support security training, equipment and resources at local centers of Jewish life in 2022.

Click here to learn more about J-Secure.
Click here to report an antisemitic incident.
Click here to learn more about Federation’s Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred.
Click here for resources to help you stand up to incidents of hatred.