FBI issues warning for holiday social gatherings, encourages public to report suspicious activity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The FBI issued a national warning that holiday parties, Christmas parades and large public gatherings could be the target of violence or even terrorism.

Former FBI Agent Toni Chrabot said one of the agency’s biggest challenges and concerns is stopping a lone offender. She pointed out that when FBI agents issue warnings to the public, they’re also pleading for help from the public.

″When they put these bulletins out, it really is a call to action. They’re asking for the public’s help. They’re trying to raise awareness that they’re asking you to report,” Chrabot said.

RELATED: FBI, JSO, Homeland Security help Jacksonville community learn how to deal with hate crimes

Chrabot, who now works for the Risk Confidence Group, said federal authorities have the intelligence to back their latest warning to the United States, citing heightened tensions related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“[The warning] likely heightens the threat of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings throughout the winter, including holiday-related, faith-based, New Year’s Eve and First Amendment protected events,” Chrabot said.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued two similar warnings in October urging the public to be calm but vigilant for possible attacks against Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Arab people. Chrabot said lone actor violence is the most difficult to prevent.

″It’s a needle in a haystack. And a lone offender could be somebody that is in their home, not talking to anyone else, not posting anything, and they decide to act. You can imagine how difficult that is to detect,” Chrabot said.

MORE: Biden calls ‘surge’ in antisemitism ‘sickening’ during White House Hanukkah reception

In addition to more threats, FBI agents said they’ve noted an increase in hoax bomb threats and active shooter threats targeting synagogues.

Some of the most common examples of suspicious activities or behavior are:

• Multiple sightings of the same suspicious person, vehicle, or activity

• Vehicles or people who look out of place, (like a person at a Christmas parade, who has no interest in the event)

• Individuals who appear to be overdressed for the type of weather

• Boxes, bags or packages that look out of place

FBI Director Christopher Wray said the U.S. is facing the highest risk of attack in years and that threats received to the U.S. have reached a whole other level since the Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7.

“I think that the FBI and the intelligence partners, both in the United States and foreign partners are sharing intelligence,” said Chrabot.

According to the FBI, groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group could also use the Israel-Hamas war to increase calls for violence in the United States this holiday season. Wray also said that terrorists may try to exploit the U.S. Southern Border.