Practical Tips for Security in an Age of Violence
By Vincent J. Bove, CPP
On July 22, 2004
�The 9/11 Commission Report�,
that is, the final report of the National
Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States was released. This report should
be required reading for all law enforcement, security officials and citizenry seriously committed
to terrorism awareness, preparedness and prevention. In the chapter, �What to do? A Global Strategy�
the report clearly emphasizes the criticality of partnerships between the public and private sector and
strongly recommends �Private-Sector Preparedness�. The report states that �the mandate of the Department
of Homeland Security does not end with government; the department is also responsible for working with
the private sector to ensure preparedness. This is entirely appropriate for the private sector controls 85
percent of the critical infrastructure in the nation. Indeed, unless a terrorist�s target is a military or other
secure government facility, the �first� first responders will almost certainly be civilians�.
Therefore, it is also essential that law enforcement and private security experts exercise
collaborative leadership to protect facilities. To this extent, the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security recommends these protective measures to protect soft targets (residences,
recreational and shopping venues, business complexes, etc.) from terrorists:
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Train personnel to be alert and to immediately report any situation that
appears to constitute a threat or suspicious activity
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Provide leadership for guard force turn-over procedures and
personnel authentication practices
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Rearrange exterior vehicles barriers, traffic cones and road blocks to
alter traffic patterns near facilities
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Institute/increase visible vehicle, foot and roving patrols
that vary in size, timing and routes
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Arrange for law enforcement vehicles to be parked near entrances and exits
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Limit the number of access points and strictly control access control procedures
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Approach all illegally parked vehicles in and around facilities, question drivers and
direct them to move immediately. If an owner cannot be identified, have vehicle
towed by law enforcement
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Increase perimeter and parking lot lighting
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Deploy visible security cameras and motion sensors
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Review security camera footage daily to detect possible indicators of
preoperational surveillance
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Remove vegetation that obstructs view in and around perimeters and
maintain it regularly
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Institute a robust vehicle inspection program, including but not limited to
checking under the undercarriage of vehicles, under the hood and in the trunk.
Personnel must be properly trained with this inspection program and have the
proper equipment
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Deploy explosive detection devices and explosives detection canine teams
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Conduct vulnerability studies focusing on physical security, structural engineering,
infrastructure engineering, power, water and air filtration. (The CDC has published
�Guidance for Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological
or Radiological Attacks�. Visit
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/terrorresp.html)
Aside from a partnership between law enforcement and private security leaders
in providing training for diversity and soft targets, training sessions should also be
conducted to specifically train workplace personnel on issues such as �Signs of
Terrorist Activity�. The public is the eyes and ears complimenting the work of
law enforcement and security professionals. Therefore, training sessions by law
enforcement and security leaders should emphasize these aspects of terrorism
awareness:
Surveillance
Individuals should take note and report such things as someone recording, photographing
or monitoring activities, drawing diagrams or annotating on maps, the use of vision-enhancing
devices, having in one�s possession floor plans or blue prints of places such as high-tech firms,
financial institutions or government/military facilities. Any of these surveillance type acts may
be indicators that something is not right.
Elicitation
This is pertaining to anyone attempting to gain information about a place, person or operation.
An example is someone attempting to gain knowledge about a critical infrastructure like a tunnel,
power plant, water reservoir, bridge, a corporation or maritime port. Terrorists may attempt to
research bridge and tunnel usage, make unusual inquiries concerning shipments or inquire as to
how a military base operates. Inappropriate elicitation about a company should also be a
concern that is immediately reported to authorities.
Tests of Security
Terrorists can attempt data collection by driving by the target, moving into sensitive areas and
observing security or law enforcement response. They would be interested in the time in which
an incident is responded to by authorities.
Acquiring Supplies
A red flag should be raised if someone is purchasing or stealing explosives, weapons or
ammunition. It is also a concern if someone is storing harmful chemicals or chemical
equipment. Terrorists would also find it useful to have in their possession law enforcement
equipment, ids, decals or flight passes, badges or even flight manuals.
Suspicious People Who Do Not Belong
Someone in a workplace, building, neighborhood or business establishment that does
not fit in because of their demeanor, language usage or unusual questions that
they are asking.
Dry Runs
Before execution of the final operation or plan, a practice session will be run to work
out the flaws and unanticipated problems. A dry run may very well be the heart of a
planning stage of a terrorist act. It is usually during this stage that it is actually the best
chance to intercept and stop an attack.
Deploying Assets / Getting into Position
This is the last chance to alert authorities before the terrorist act occurs.
Nearly 3,000 people died on a day of infamy on the American homeland. In lower Manhattan,
on a field in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, the United States suffered the single largest loss
of life from an enemy attack on its soil. America must rise to the occasion, avoid having a
short-term memory and establish a culture of leadership that cultivates partnerships, prevention
and education.
Vincent J. Bove, CPP
is a Board Certified Protection Professional, Board Certified Crime Prevention Specialist,
Certified Law Enforcement Instructor and U.S. Department of Justice Certified Community
Anti-Terrorism Awareness Trainer.
He is the 2007 New Jersey recipient of the prestigious
FBI Director's Community Leadership Award
and was hand-selected to serve as a facilitator and mentor for the 2007
National Conference on Ethics in America
and speaker for the 2008 conference at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
"Vincent J. Bove is considered one of the foremost
national experts on school and workplace violence
prevention, specializing in facility protection,
evacuations, terrorism prevention and leadership
training." -- U.S. Senate
You can visit Mr. Bove's website at
www.vincentbove.com
or email him at
vincent@vincentbove.com
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