Police1.com Critical Alert - Domestic Terrorism
The FBI is warning law enforcement agencies to be on the alert for any potential terrorist activity on U.S. ferry boats. In its weekly law enforcement bulletin, the FBI said ferries could be a likely terrorist target because of their “easy access” and “minimal security checks,” but there was no specific information regarding what types could be targeted or when.
“During the past year there have been numerous reports of suspicious activity and possible surveillance of ferry operations around the United States,” the FBI bulletin said. The bulletin also says: “The FBI possesses no information indicating specific terrorist targeting of U.S. ferryboats and terminals. However, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security assess that ferry operations represent a viable and vulnerable target should Al Qaeda or other terrorist groups choose to exploit their vulnerability.”
The bulletin was issued late Wednesday to law enforcement agencies throughout the country. In it, the FBI states that because of their “accessibility, soft targets, particularly ferries, which have the potential to yield a high casualty count, remain attractive potential targets for terrorist attack.”
“The fact that many ferries operate in close proximity to oil terminals, tourist facilities and places of commerce further enhances their attractiveness as terrorist targets,” the bulletin says. “The easy access and minimal security checks associated with allowing passenger vehicles on board make ferries particularly vulnerable to vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.”
The FBI also notes that Al Qaeda is “known to conduct sophisticated surveillance over periods of time that can extend from months to years. Initial surveillance would likely involve research and monitoring of a number of potential targets before on is selected.” The FBI states that terrorists would likely conduct this surveillance to focus on identifying specific vulnerabilities in order to “refine a plan of attack.”
“Surveillance of ferryboat and terminals may include the use of watercraft to monitor ferry handling, speeds and routes,” the FBI states. “Terrorists may also pose as passengers or pier-side observers of ferryboat and dockside activities.
Source: FBI
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