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Arizona Jewish communities on high alert after bomb threats made across U.S.

Posted at 9:59 PM, Feb 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-21 08:24:11-05

After nearly a dozen more bomb threats across the country, officials are issuing Arizona's Jewish community centers with security advisories and reminding them to be vigilant. 

"It's unusually high," said Carlos Galindo, regional director for Arizona's chapter of the Anti-Defamation League. "We're taking it seriously."

No Arizona centers have received a bomb threat yet. 

However, there were 11 bomb threats made on Monday at other centers across the country.  

The new incidents add to a rash of bomb threats since the beginning of the year. Officials said there have been at least 60 threats to Jewish centers. So far, all of them have been hoaxes. 

In a statement, the ADL said the threats are "alarming and disruptive. 

“We are confident that JCCs around the country are taking the necessary security protections, and that law enforcement officials are making their investigation of these threats a high priority,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “We look to our political leaders at all levels to speak out against such threats directed against Jewish institutions, to make it clear that such actions are unacceptable, and to pledge that they will work with law enforcement officials to ensure that those responsible will be apprehended and punished to the full extent of the law.”

The FBI and Department of Justice are investigating the threats, which have come in four different waves. 

In addition to the bomb threats, a St. Louis-area Jewish cemetery had more than 100 headstones toppled and destroyed.