Terrorism Demands Police-Community Unity

As a member of NYPD SHIELD, a counterterrorism program of the New York City Police Department, I am privileged to attend conferences and receive alerts on terrorism incidents and prevention.

This notable public-private partnership is based on providing best practices, lessons learned, counterterrorism training opportunities, and information sharing.

Participation in this program is a reminder of the changing realities of terror, and to work together to prevent incidents. It is critical that other law enforcement agencies nationwide, in partnership with private security professionals, and the community implement comparable programs.

Terrorism is a reality of our times, and we must enhance our vigilance, leadership, and unity of effort to protect our homeland.

France Attack: NYPD SHIELD Alert

On the morning of July 26, I received an email alert from NYPD SHIELD on another terror attack in France.

Unfortunately, these attacks have increased in frequency due to the accelerating terrorism climate not only in France, but internationally, and on American soil as well.

In this most recent alert, NYPD SHIELD provided a link to open source media about this attack at a Roman Catholic Church in Normandy. In this attack, a priest was cowardly assassinated and numerous hostages taken.

The French President, Francois Hollande stated that this attack was committed in the name of ISIS.

Any murder violates the most sacred principle of humanity and is a desecration of every religion. But this killing in a sacred place, where people come for sanctuary and pray for forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and divine assistance is horrific beyond words.

Terrorism Accelerating Internationally

These are only some of the deadly terror attacks that have taken place internationally and remind us that the world can be a dangerous place:

July 27, 2016: At least 44 people are killed and 150 injured after a truck bomb was detonated in the Kurdish-controlled city of Qamishi, Syria. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

July 24: An individual who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, detonated a bomb at a bar in Ansbach, Germany killing himself and wounding 15 people.

July 23: Two suicide bombers killed over 80 people and wounded 230 at a rally in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Islamic State claimed responsibility.

July 15: A truck rams through a Bastille Day crowd in Nice, France, during a celebration of the French National Holiday. At least 84 are killed including many children, and numerous other injured, many in critical condition.

July 3: At least 325 are killed and over 200 wounded in coordinated bomb attacks, one in a busy market, in Baghdad, Iraq.

June 28: At least 31 people are killed at Aratuck International Airport in Turkey by three suicide bombers who detonated explosives.

March 22: At least 31 people are killed and 150 wounded in explosions at the Brussels Airport and a downtown shop.

November 13, 2015: 130 people are killed and hundreds wounded in a series of attacks by terrorists at a rock concert, cafes, and a stadium in Paris.

Terror Attacks on American Soil

As terrorism accelerates internationally, the incidents intensifying on American soil must enhance our vigilance and security.

These incidents include the following:

July 17, 2016: Three Baton Rouge police officers are killed and three injured in a cowardly ambush, only days after five police are assassinated in Texas.

July 7: Five police officers are shot dead by a sniper and nine others are wounded at a peaceful protest rally in Dallas.

December 3, 2015: Two attackers killed 14 and wound 21 at a country employee Christmas party in San Bernardino, California.

July 16: a gunman kills four Marines and a sailor, and also wounds a police officer in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

June 12: A neo-Nazi kills nine at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) during a Bible study group in Charleston, South Carolina.

April 15, 2013: Two bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line kill three, including a child, and injure 183.

Terrorism Warnings

Before 911, there were warnings that terrorists were considering using planes as weapons. These included flying them into the Eiffel Tower in 1994, into CIA headquarters in 1995, and into the White House in 1996.

The attack this week at a Catholic Church in France, as well as the attack of the AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina are warnings.

There was also a massacre on Aug. 5, 2012 at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin by a white supremacist. At least six people were killed, others wounded, and members of the community terrorized.

These tragedies remind us that there is no place sacrosanct in the mind of a terrorist. There are individuals without conscience, who will take the most vulnerable innocent life and desecrate any sacred place.

These incidents, along with attacks taking place throughout the globe, must motivate us to enhance our vigilance and security countermeasures everywhere, including houses of worship.

Horrific attacks against houses of worship and religious representatives, are also a sobering reminder that terrorists seek not only death and casualties, but trophies that glorify their demented ideologies.

Final Reflections

Currently, America is experiencing tensions, controversies, and problems with police-community relations.

It is critical that we enhance police-community trust through communication, programs, transparency, and accountability. This will enable
America to be postured to protect our communities and our homeland.

Terrorism is accelerating and the next incident can take place anywhere, anytime, and by any means.

America must stand united and enhance our police-community partnerships. This cohesiveness must be built on the pillars of respect, courtesy, character, and patriotism that honors our democratic principles, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

America must unite to protect our communities, houses of worship, and our homeland, as to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Related Coverage:

Terrorism Attacks Demand America’s Leadership

Sanctuary Profaned: Protecting America’s Houses of Worship

America, Wake Up: Harden Your Soft Targets

Terrorism Concerns Accelerate: Protecting America


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Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

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Vincent is author of 190 articles including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Photos:

1. The Chief of Police, Spring 2015 featuring cover story by Vincent J. Bove titled "Terrorism Concerns Accelerate: Protecting America."

2. NYPD, Veterans Day, Fifth Avenue, NYC, Nov. 1, 2014. (Vincent J. Bove)

3. NYPD, Macy's Herald Square, NYC, Nov. 21, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)

Fallen Officers Demands America’s Reawakening

The diabolical brutality raged against our police pierces the hearts of loved ones, communities, the law enforcement family, and the very heart of America.

This senseless, unending anguish violates America’s security and rips the cohesiveness of police-community relations, critical to the preservation of society.

The alarming killings of police throughout the country is like one not experienced in decades. It is not just the horrific recent killings of police in Dallas or Baton Rouge. Police are being killed nationwide and the appalling reality is that things might get worse before they get better.

These tragedies are a sad commentary about the brokenness of American society since without collaboration between the police and the people, a society cannot endure.

America must be reawakened and build ethical bridges of respect, dignity, and decency within every facet of society, especially between the police and the people.

These bridges must be built in our schools, campuses, workplaces, families, and communities.

Honoring Fallen Baton Rouge Officers

America was shaken to its core when five police officers were senselessly killed and nine wounded in Dallas on July 7.

The somber memorials and funerals were witnessed not only by America but by countries around the globe, bearing testimony to this reprehensible violence against law enforcement.

Compounding this heart-wrenching loss of heroes gone too soon, was the additional unspeakable killings of three additional officers, and three wounded only ten days later in Baton Rouge.

These officers, representing the best in all of us, were killed responding to protect their community to a call about a suspicious person with an assault rifle.

It is a dangerous time to be a police officer in America. This is manifested unceasingly with violence in our schools, campuses, workplaces, homes, and communities. The violence is also inflicted upon our society’s ethical guardians who have sworn to protect us.

America must respond with full force commitment to resolve the crisis. The lives of the most recently fallen officers, along with all who have died protecting and serving America, must not be in vain.

Corporal Montrell L. Jackson – was a 10-year veteran of the Baton Rouge Police Department. He was a proud new father since he and his wife had just celebrated the birth of a baby just two months ago.

The morning after five police officers were killed in Dallas, Corporal Jackson memorialized his sentiments on Facebook.

“I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me. In uniform I get nasty looks and out of uniform some consider me a threat.”

Corporal Jackson added foreboding words applicable not only to his city but to America:

"Please don’t let hate infect your heart. This city must and will get better.”

Just nine days later, Corporal Jackson was dead, killed by the hatred that his admirable life of duty, sacrifice and honor contradicted.

Officer Matthew Gerald – was assigned to the Baton Rouge Police Department uniform patrol bureau.

He was a member of the police department for less than one year and a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq.

Shortly after the Baton Rouge rampage started, his wife ominously posted on Facebook a link to television coverage of the tragedy. “Everyone please pray!!! She added, “My husband along with others is out there.”

Deputy Brad Garafola - was a father of four and member of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office since April 23, 1992.

Tonja Garafola, Deputy Garafola’s wife posted these heart-wrenching sentiments about her beloved husband on Facebook after the tragedy, “Our hearts are completely broken and still in disbelief of it all. Brad, I love you so much and I don’t know how to do this without you, you’re my best friend, my rock, and my hero.”

Final Reflections

According to grim statistics from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), preliminary 2016 law enforcement fatalities as of July 19 show a 72 percent increase of firearms-related deaths compared to the same time frame of 2015.

The unity of effort between the police and the people is critical to America. Our nation will only be on the path of reawakening when we fully commit ourselves to ethical pillars of leadership, character, dignity, and respect.

The virtues enshrined on the Baton Rouge Police Department website are protection, obligation, leadership, integrity, courage, and excellence.

The fallen Baton Rouge police officers honored these virtues with their heroic sacrifices. America must honor their lives, and the lives of all who perished protecting and serving our nation. Only when our police and people are truly united will America be on the path to reawakening the nation.

Related Coverage:

Dallas Police Tragedy: Healing, Unity, Renewal

Mass Shootings, Police Fatalities: America’s Culture of Trauma

Police-Community Collaboration: America’s Public Safety Lifeline

Fallen Police Officers: Honoring American Sentinels

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of 190 articles including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Photos:

1. People attend a vigil on July, 18, 2016, for Matthew Gerald, one of the three officers killed Sunday, July 17, at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, La. (Leila Macor/AFP/Getty Images)

2. Police officers slain in Baton Rouge from left to right: Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garfola. (Photo Credit, Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rough Sheriff's Department)

Dallas Police Tragedy: Healing, Unity, Renewal

The tragedy in Dallas, with the reprehensible murder of five police officers, illuminates the dangers of those who take the honorable oath to protect and serve America’s communities.

This cowardly attack, the most deadly against law enforcement since 9/11, must inspire America to appreciate our police, and fully commit ourselves as a nation dedicated to police-community unity.

The current storms of police-community controversies, tensions, and brokenness must serve as a turning point that ignites healing, unity, and renewal.

Although our nation’s police-community issue is national in scope, the entire world is watching America’s response.

Last week, while traveling throughout China, I followed the events not only through American sources, but witnessed extensive coverage of our police-community issues through Chinese television and newspapers as well.

Honoring the Dallas Fallen

The loss of police officers in Dallas is not only an indescribable loss to their families, but to the law enforcement family nationwide, and a wound to the heart of America.

America’s police are called to serve as ethical guardians, and protect communities as the lifelines of security and safety.

Our country wound quickly erupt into anarchy, chaos, and turmoil without our police, and we must appreciate their service and dedicate ourselves to a unity of effort.

Let us pause to respect those who have fallen in Dallas on July 7, and pledge to honor their sacrifices with a commitment to renewing the nation by enhancing police-community cohesiveness.

Dallas Police Officer Michael Krol – an eight-year Dallas Police Department veteran, previously served as a jail worker with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in Detroit, Michigan from 2003-2007.

Officer Krol, 40, is best described by his mother as a “caring person who always wanted to help others. He knew the dangers of the job, but he never shied away from his duty.”

On the night of the protest, Officer Krol texted his girlfriend that “everything was going peacefully.”

Dart Police Officer Brent Thompson – was the first police officer in the history of his Rapid Transit Department to be killed in the line of duty.

Officer Thompson, 43, was also a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was the father of six children, who all took the stage during his funeral service to honor their dad.

His daughter Katie Thompson said, “His only goal in life was to provide a better life for his children, for us. Whether it was becoming a Marine and going overseas, he worked so, so hard to provide for us his entire life. He worked two jobs lots of times. He worked countless hours of overtime so he did not have to see us struggle.”

Another daughter Sandy said, “He was not just a hero to Dallas, but to the world. He fought overseas for many, many years.”

Dallas Police Officer Patrick Zamarripa – served three tours in Iraq with the Navy as a security officer.

Officer Zamarripa, 32, joined the Dallas Police Department after his military service and recently was assigned to do a bicycle patrol in downtown Dallas.

Valerie Zamarripa, his mother stated, “from when he was a little boy, Patrick always wanted to be a police officer. He loved life, he loved his family, his job, he was a happy man and where he wanted to be.”

Just a few days prior to his death, Officer Zamarripa, father of a 2-year-old, was planning a Disney cruise with his family.

In a test message on July 4, one of his last written messages, Officer Zamarripa noted “Happy Birthday to the greatest country on the face of the planet, my beloved America.”

Dallas Police Sgt. Michael Smith – was an Army Ranger veteran before joining the Dallas Police Department in 1989.

Sgt. Smith was received a “Cops’ Cop” award from the Dallas Police Association. He was married and had two daughters and admired for having a positive attitude and compassion for others.

His sister, Yea-Mei Sauer, shared these heart-wrenching words at his funeral. “My brothers murder will not be in vain, his selfless legacy will live on. He wound want us to continue the good fight, to be guardians, leaders, peacemakers, to love one another, to set the example, because this is what we are supposed to do.”

Dallas Police Senior Corporal Lorne Ahrens – served as a deputy at the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) from 1991-2002 before beginning his service with the Dallas Police Department.

Ahrens leaves behind a wife and two children. He was described by Captain Ken McWard, a former colleague with the LASD, as “someone who always wanted to be in law enforcement. You can tell that when you first met him. He was a big guy with a big heart and you could always count on him. He really loved what he was doing.”

Final Reflections

In my article titled “Principles of American Policing” published in the April 24, 2016 edition of the Epoch Times, I summoned a clarion call to enhance dialogue, communication, and trust between police and communities.

This was highlighted in my first principle, “Being pro-police and pro-community are inseparable, indefatigable, and pre-eminent.”

But this first principle is best described by the broken heart of a father, Rick Zamarripa, who lost his beloved son, Officer Patrick Zamarripa in Dallas on July 7.

Mr. Zamarripa said, “all of this hate has to stop. I don’t care if your black or white … we are all God’s children.”

Related Coverage:

Policing Dangers Demand Community Collaboration

Fallen Police Officers: Honoring American Sentinels

Police-Community Crisis: Rise to the Occasion

NYPD Fallen Officer Randolph Holder: Fidelis Ad Mortem

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of 190 articles including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Bio Photo Credits - National Law Enforcement Memorial Officers Fund.

Closing Photo: The Procession makes its way on the George Bush Turnpike to Restland Funeral Home in Richardson, Texas, for the graveside service as law enforcement paid their respects following the funeral service for Senior Corporal Lorne Ahrens held at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. (Stewart F. House/Getty Images)

NYPD SHIELD: Forging Partnerships, Protecting New York

On Monday, June 27, I attended the NYPD SHIELD conference at One Police Plaza in Manhattan.

As detailed in my article titled “NYPD SHIELD: America’s Public-Private Collaboration Model” published in the July 25, 2015 edition of the Epoch Times, NYPD SHIELD is a public-private partnership. It is a unique unity of effort dedicated to countering terrorism through information sharing.

These are perilous times throughout America with the threat of terrorism as witnessed in horrific attacks. These have included the Boston Marathon Bombings, San Bernardino, and the Orlando nightclub.

Each of these tragedies is a sobering reminder that terrorism is a real and present danger demanding moral leadership and collaborative vigilance. Law enforcement officials, private security professionals, and members of the public must be dedicated to a unity of effort.

NYPD Commissioner William Bratton

As normal protocol for NYPD SHIELD conferences, the event began with NYPD Commissioner William Bratton’s remarks.
Bratton advised over 400 attendees on the dangers of ISIS, particularly with its exploiting the destabilized Middle East due to the Syrian crisis.

The commissioner explained how ISIS ignited terror attacks by inspiring, enabling, or directing them.
Bratton assured attendees of the NYPD’s commitment to terrorism prevention, preparedness, and response. This includes 550 members of the Critical Response Command (CRC), an elite cadre of officers trained for terrorism and active shooter scenarios.

The CRC is supported by 800 additional officers in the Strategic Response Group (SRG). In addition, Bratton stated that there are over 700 officers in the Emergency Services Unit (ESU). All these units are supported by a robust investigative unit in partnership with many other law enforcement agencies.

Boston Marathon Bombings Retrospective

Although numerous terrorist attacks were cited during today’s conference, a presentation titled “Boston Marathon Bombings Retrospective” was emotionally riveting.

This presentation began with FBI special agent Timothy Brown who stressed that it is difficult to stop terrorism, as with the Boston Marathon, during the attack stage. Therefore, Brown stressed that effective investigations, especially to thwart pre-attack surveillance plans, were critical to terrorism prevention.

Brown also stressed that the importance of public safety and first-responder cohesiveness was critical after an attack. He emphasized that balancing these two factors was paramount so that medical assistance can take place while safeguarding all from the possibilities of additional attacks.

According to Brown, the focus of the Boston Marathon bombings was directed by the FBI as the lead agency since it was an act of terror.

In this role, the FBI worked collaboratively with other agencies to gather evidence. This included digital evidence collected from closed-circuit TVs and smartphones. Brown stated that private and public sectors were extremely cooperative with providing digital evidence. This evidence helped law enforcement to identify a person of interest, who was accompanied by another suspect in the evidence, which led them to the two attackers.

Following FBI special agent Brown’s presentation, was Steve Mellin, deputy criminal chief of the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Mellin’s passionate presentation focused on making the lives of the victims a priority for prosecution. He stressed that the horrific nature of the attacks resulted in deaths, amputations, and injuries to hundreds of innocent people. During the prosecution, Mellin used graphic photos and videos to successfully convict the surviving attacker.

This digital evidence powerfully depicted the attacker’s callous contempt for human life. It clearly showed their awareness that the explosion, filled with nails and other projectiles, would impact children who surrounded them as they stood preparing to leave their bombs in the crowd.

Final Reflections

America must remain collaboratively vigilant during these perilous times as terror incidents continue to accelerate.

We must also have hope and remain determined that our unity is our strength. This was emphasized at the NYPD SHIELD event by Chief Edward Deveau of the Watertown Police Department. The chief, now retired, had his officers involved with a shootout with the two attackers, who also attacked the officers with exploding pipe bombs.

Deveau stated that the slogan “Boston Strong” was a reality due to the courage of the victims, the compassion of the first-responders and medical professionals, and the commitment of law enforcement.

These are the qualities that make “Boston Strong,” “New York Strong,” and “America Strong,” Deveau stated, and that “no fear of terror will ever diminish the greatness of America.”

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of 190 articles including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Photos

1. NYPD presence on Fifth Avenue, NYC during Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 1, 2014. (Vincent J. Bove)
2. NYPD presence at Macy's, 34th Street/Herald Square, NYC, Nov. 21. 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)
3. NYPD presence in Times Square, NYC, Feb. 11, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)