As war looms, increasing pressure is being placed on domestic Law Enforcement. Many departments are already understaffed due to the call up of reservists. Many are also under very tight budget constraints due to lack of funds at the state and local level.
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Iraq has rejected President Bush’s ultimatum that Saddam and his family leave the country or face war with the US.
The Homeland Security Threat Level has been raised to Orange and war is immanent, meaning Law Enforcement will need to step up preparedness for threats from terrorists and antiwar activists.
All departments should consider taking additional security measures based on each department’s individual situation:
For Terrorism:
- Conducting more frequent patrols of identified targets, including transportation infrastructure, ports and waterways
- Increasing Law Enforcement presence on the streets
- Looking out for possible attacks by individuals with automatic weapons or engaging in homicide bombings
- Increasing awareness of suspicious activity by individuals or small groups around hospitals and soft targets such as hotels, government buildings and malls, and of instances of sabotage
For Activist Groups:
- Heightening surveillance and monitoring of radical activist groups including web sites, demonstration schedules and tactics
- Monitoring of activity around government buildings and military bases
Federal Law Enforcement officials are taking their readiness “up a notch” and are closely monitoring possible terrorists. Homeland Security Sec. Ridge said tighter security at airports, rail stations and ports is part of what has been dubbed Operation Liberty Shield.
“We have taken these actions because intelligence reporting indicates that while al Qaeda and those sympathetic to their cause are still a principle threat -- Iraqi state agents, Iraqi surrogate groups, other regional extremist organizations and ad-hoc groups or disgruntled individuals may use this time period to conduct terrorist attacks against the US.”
State and local Law Enforcement departments are also increasing their state of readiness. The NYPD has developed a plan, “Operation Atlas”, which increases the number of officers who patrol city streets and ask the DOD to fly combat aircraft overhead and FAA to limit the airspace over Manhattan.
The patrols would step up security at sites considered particularly susceptible to terrorist attacks, including houses of worship, government buildings and hotels. Bridges, tunnels and other entry points into the city will also be heavily guarded. The plan urges officers to be on guard against attacks by suicide bombers and to closely inspect subway cars and city-run ferries for explosives.
Source: PoliceOne; CNN; OHS
Priority Level (1 = Lowest, 5 = Highest)