Terrorism Concerns Accelerate: Protecting America

Terrorism is a contemptuous evil against life, justice and charity as well as a cowardly assault against human rights, moral law and the dignity of humankind.

On Feb. 21, al-Shabaab, an East African affiliate to al-Qaida encouraged attacks-comparable to the Sept. 2013 Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya-on “America or Jewish-owned” facilities.

The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, one of the nation’s most prominent, was specifically mentioned.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary was prompted to “warn the public to be vigilant” emphasizing that “anytime a terrorist organization calls for an attack on a specific place we’ve got to take that seriously…public vigilance, public awareness and public caution in situations like this is particularly important.”

Recent Terror Incidents, A Partial List

Feb 14-15: gunman opens fire at a Copenhagen café killing a civilian and wounding three police officers. Later, a Jewish community member was killed outside the Great Synagogue.
Feb 13: ISIS releases horrific video of Jordanian pilot being burned alive while caged.
Feb. 1: parents of Kayla Mueller, an American aid worker abducted by ISIS confirm she is dead.
February: although the exact date is unclear, 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians are beheaded by Islamic state militants.
Jan. 8: two heavily armed extremists enter the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo killing 12 including 2 police officers.
Oct. 22, 2014: a radical extremist charges four NYPD officers with a hatchet injuring two.

NYPD SHIELD
NYPD SHIELD held a conference at police headquarters on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 attended by hundreds of law enforcement and private security professionals.

The purpose of NYPD SHIELD is countering terrorism through information sharing by building collaboration between the public and private sector.

Nicholas J. Rasmussen, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center stressed that a formidable threat to our homeland hovers with brutal terrorists in more places than ever.

Rasmussen also emphasized that although law enforcement monitors homegrown terrorists, preventing attacks is difficult and the possibility of replicating the recent Paris attack is a concern.

NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton stated that terrorism has morphed into many directions with propaganda and social media used to inspire lone wolf attacks such as the hatchet attack against NYPD officers.

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

•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 stated lone wolf attack possibilities against America have never been greater and we must do everything to keep our enemies on the defense. He recommended evaluating Indonesia, a Muslim country that has done a remarkable job with minimizing extremism and radicalization.

The NYPD SHIELD program is an extraordinary collaboration dedicated to safeguarding New York. This unity of effort deserves participation by law enforcement and private security professionals not only here but nationwide.

Safeguarding New York

Complementing NYPD SHIELD, I have conducted numerous “Leadership Principles: Crisis Planning, Community Partnerships, Violence Prevention” keynotes to safeguard New York City.

The goal is to inspire ethical protectors, fully dedicated to reawakening the nation by safeguarding lives, property, and information.

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

Events focusing on safeguarding facilities and infrastructure included:

•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 crisis management events nationwide—complemented by published works including this Epoch Times weekly column—these initiatives serve to provide the tools needed to safeguard society.

The practical tools include physical, personnel, and procedural security but have ethics, honor, and valor as foundational principles.

Finally, all members of our communities are needed to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement officials as we are all in this together.

Note Well:
Due to the current dynamics of terrorism concerns, this blog has been updated and revised from its original version which remains posted on www.vincentbove.com as well as in the publication section of Linkedin.

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As authored for Vincent’s weekly column (Feb. 27, 2015) titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times, 35 countries, 21 languages and growing.

Photos
1. NYPD on post at Rockefeller Center, Oct. 10, 2014. Regarding the Feb. 21, 2015 ‘threat’ NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Stephen Davis stated, “We are aware of the recent ‘threat’ and we have been in touch with our international and federal liaisons. Although there is no direct threats against New York City, as well as no credible intelligence of such, we have taken appropriate precautionary measures, such as alerting our Critical Response Vehicles and our ‘Hercules’ (special counter-terrorism) Teams. This is something we regularly do in response to terror incidents/threats in other areas of the world that may impact New York City.” (Vincent J. Bove)

2. 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)

3. NYPD SHIELD attendees listening to opening remarks of John J. Miller, Deputy Commissioner Intelligence & Counterterrorism on Feb 17. Miller began the conference stating that major incidents are no longer month-to-month but accelerating day-to-day and even minute-to-minute. (Vincent J. Bove)

4. Visitors at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Feb. 14, 2015. The MET along with museums throughout NYC sent security management to Vincent’s keynote on museum security hosted by MoMA on May 16, 2013. (Vincent J. Bove)