David Brackins, who directs the communal security programs for the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, the Federation of Richmond, and the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, has been selected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as the 2021 recipient of the Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for the Richmond Division. As the Regional Security Advisor, Brackins’ work is part of the Secure Community Network (SCN), the official safety and security organization for the Jewish community in North America. 

 

"Dave Brackins has been the SCN representative to the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula for the past several years. During that time, his ability to connect with members of the local Jewish community, both on and off the UJCVP campus, and to solidify the relationships between the UJCVP, area synagogues, and local law enforcement agencies has greatly enhanced the safety of the Jewish community on the Virginia Peninsula," said Mike Stupar, Vice President of Programs and Operations and Security Committee Co-Chair at the UJCVP. "Dave's recognition through receiving this leadership award is well deserved and a testament to his work ethic and excellent efforts in support of our community."

 

Brackins has been instrumental in taking proactive steps to keep the UJCVP community safe, and in making sure leadership, staff and members are educated and kept abreast of local, national and international situations. He is detail-oriented in his communication and consistent in ensuring that the UJCVP community is trained in the most up-to-date safety and crisis-control techniques.

 

"With the dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents and acts of hate over the past several years, Jewish communal security has never been more important," said Eric Maurer, Executive Director of the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula. "We are very fortunate to have Dave at the helm of our security efforts on the Peninsula and pleased to see the FBI take note of his leadership to keep our community safe."

 

“Mr. Brackins’ commitment to information-sharing to promote the safety and security of the Jewish community is a benefit to all faith-based communities,” said Stanley Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, who recommended Brackins for the award and presented it to him at a ceremony July 8, 2022 in Richmond. “FBI Richmond is grateful for this long-standing partnership, as protecting houses of worship is one of its highest priorities.”

 

The DCLA is the primary means for the FBI to recognize individuals and organizations that make extraordinary contributions to communities across the United States. One recipient per year may be nominated by each of the FBI’s 56 field offices, or divisions. The Richmond Division includes 106 of the 133 cities and counties in Virginia. 

 

“We are extremely proud of Dave’s tireless efforts to help protect the Jewish community across Virginia,” said SCN National Director and CEO Michael Masters. “This recognition is testament not only to the high caliber of Dave’s work, but also to the effective relationship Dave has fostered with the FBI and SCN’s other law enforcement and community partners.”

 

As part of the Federations’ security programs, Brackins provides physical security consultations, building and organizational assessments, training and drills, and threat mitigation to Jewish organizations across much of Virginia, including schools, daycare centers, synagogues, camps, assisted living facilities, and other centers of Jewish life.

 

Before joining SCN and the Federations in 2019, Brackins served for more than three decades in law enforcement, government, and private homeland security, including as a supervisory special agent with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security for 27 years. 

 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to do this important work and deeply honored by this award,” said Brackins. “I will continue to work with my colleagues in partner agencies and organizations to keep the Jewish community safe, secure, and resilient.”

 

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Your generous support to the UJCVP’s Annual Campaign ensures that the Jewish community of the Virginia Peninsula is prepared to prevent and – if need be – quickly respond to any security threat.