Terror Incidents Accelerate: America, Remain Vigilant

NYPD SHIELD held an outstanding conference at police headquarters on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 attended by over 400 law enforcement and private security professionals.

The purpose of NYPD SHIELD is to build collaboration between the public and private sector, countering terrorism through information sharing.

The information shared was sobering and must serve as a wake-up call for leadership, vigilance and collaboration to safeguard New York City and the nation.

Conference Highlights

John J. Miller, Deputy Commissioner Intelligence & Counterterrorism began the conference stating that major incidents are no longer month-to-month but accelerating day-to-day and even minute-to-minute.

Nicholas J. Rasmussen, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center stressed that a formidable threat to our homeland is dynamic and dangerous with brutal terrorist actors in more places than ever.

Rasmussen also emphasized that it is a new era for terrorists with attacks against America through the airlines remaining a desirable and symbolic target. He also stated that although the FBI and NYPD are dedicated to monitoring homegrown terrorists, these type attacks are difficult to prevent and the possibility of replicating the recent Paris attack is a great concern.

Commissioner Bill Bratton of the NYPD stated that terrorism has morphed into many directions with propaganda and social media continually utilized to inspire lone wolf attacks such as the hatchet attack against NYPD officers. Bratton stated that 2015 will be a year of extraordinary technological advances for the NYPD and increasing highly trained officers with special equipment for prevention and response.

Michael Morell, former deputy director of the CIA, stated that threats to America’s homeland can be categorized as the following:

•Complex simultaneous attacks that kill thousands
•Weapons of Mass Destruction
•Single attacks that kill hundreds
•Single attacks that kill dozens or less
•Unsophisticated lone wolf incidents

Morell expressed concern that lone wolf attacks against America have never been greater and we must always do everything to keep our enemies on the defense. He also recommended that we learn from Indonesia-a highly populated Muslim country- on how to prevent radicalization as they have done a remarkable job with minimizing extremism.

Naureen Kabir, NYPD Intelligence Research Specialist, stated that the October 23, 2014 hatchet attack against four NYPD officers is the type of incident inspired by terrorist propaganda and especially difficult to detect and deter.

Jordan Carpenter, NYPD Intelligence Research Specialist shared takeaways from the Charlie Hebdo Magazine attack in Paris including:

•Multiplicity and simultaneity
•Hostage taking
•Soft targets

Teamwork

The NYPD SHIELD program is an extraordinary partnership dedicated to safeguarding New York. It deserves dedicated participation by law enforcement and private security professionals who can get involved through www.nypdshield.org.

The program is also deserving of duplication by other law enforcement agencies and private sector security professionals to prevent an act of terrorism elsewhere in America.

Safeguarding the nation is enhanced when individuals work together. Teamwork is an irrefutable and essential quality that America needs now more than ever when it comes to preventing terrorism.

This teamwork can be called collaboration, cooperation, or partnership but unequivocally it is a unity of effort between the public and private sector. This cohesiveness is essential for America’s security.

Safeguarding New York City

Complementing the outstanding NYPD SHIELD initiative, for many years I have conducted “Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention” keynotes to safeguard New York City.

Attendees included NYPD, FDNY and security directors, and property managers, as well as representatives from other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.

Initiatives focused on safeguarding facilities and infrastructure including:

•museums hosted by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
•financial institutions and corporations hosted by The New York Stock Exchange
•hospitals hosted by Rockefeller University
•commercial and residential properties hosted by The Union Club of New York
•colleges and universities hosted by both Columbia University and the New York Athletic Club

As with my crisis management events nationwide—complemented by extensive published works including my Epoch Times weekly column—these initiatives serve to encourage professionals and provide the tools needed to protect society.

The heart of my work is to inspire ethical protectors who cherish American values and are fully dedicated to safeguarding lives, property, and information. The practical tools include physical, personnel, and procedural security that has ethics, vigilance, and collaboration as its foundation.

Lessons learned by attendees at these initiatives have principles fit to serve New York during these challenging times. These lessons apply not only to preventing terrorism but any acts of violence and mitigating consequences of natural disasters.


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Photos
1. NYPD SHIELD conference attendees, Feb. 17, 2015 (Vincent J. Bove)
2. NYPD cruiser in Times Square, Jan. 17, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)
3. Vincent's cover story for The Chief of Police, Spring 2015 edition was an expanded version of this blog. The magazine cover photo shows the NYPD presence at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. (cover photo by Vincent J. Bove)
4. NYPD, Rockefeller Center, Oct. 10, 2014 (Vincent J. Bove)
5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, Feb. 14, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)
6. NYPD on post at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Fifth Avenue, Dec. 26, 2014. (Vincent J. Bove)