Dear residents,

Last week we wrote that Efrat returned to an "emergency routine." The term "emergency routine" can be confusing. On the one hand, the education, health, commerce, and leisure systems run almost as usual and we are able to maintain a kind of routine. However, the security sector is very far from "routine" and has been operating since Simchat Torah 7.10 in a state of emergency.

The significance of this is reflected in many ways: our Home Front Command unit is fully functioning for the benefit of Efrat and works in conjunction with the security department, the reserve unit of the defense force is operating in Efrat, there is a very significant concentration of security forces around and in Efrat, unprecedented deployment of forces, proactive offensive activity of the security forces in the villages and in places that require it, extensive arrests of terrorist operatives, significant training 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The entrance gates, patrol vehicles and other central locations are reinforced with extra security. The upgraded technological and drone team work with the security forces in the field.

At the same time, we are re-evaluating certain protocols and making effective plans for the current situation.

Armed volunteer residents are working with the security department by conducting additional patrols throughout Efrat.

The current reality obligates us to maintain a high level of alertness. We conduct a weekly assessment of the need to use the volunteers of the "Lirot Velehiraot" unit, who serve as extra support in the protection of the town. We thank them for that.

We understand the residents concerns and the need to understand the security picture in our region. Next week, we will begin a series of meetings in the neighborhoods with the commander of the Efrat home front command unit and the director of the emergency and security division, who will provide an overview of the situation in our area and answer residents' questions. The date and time of the meetings in the neighborhoods will be announced later. The security division also suggests that residents who wish to get an understanding of the efrat security center sign up for the tours that we will hold every week.

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeEX0vVotCxVH.../viewform

Last week, over 20 volunteers from Efrat completed the process of being accepted into the armed civil guard of the Israel Police. The rest of the accepted registrants are asked to submit the required certificates by Tuesday 14.11 to the community police department. An accelerated training course will begin in about 10 days with the goal being to integrate the volunteers as soon as possible.

Today, the director of building planning published a temporary exemption from acquisition of a building permit in order to add a protected space (Mamad) to existing residences. The exemption is intended for detached houses up to 2 stories that do not have a bomb shelter. Next week additional exemptions may also be made. You can find additional updated information on the Efrat councils webpage.

https://www.efrat.muni.il/.../%D7%A4%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A8.../

We continue to pray with all the people of Israel for the success of the army, security and emergency forces, and the members of the families at the front line and in the homefront,

Together we will succeed!

We will continue to update,

The Public Information Team