Car Bomb Security

• NCJ Number: 202047
• Journal: Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 30 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 24,26,33
• Author(s): Jeffrey Moore
• Date Published: August 2003
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the lessons learned in the 2002 Bali car bombing that can be applied to reduce the threat of terrorist car bomb attacks.

Abstract

On October 12, 2002, 2 explosions in close succession killed 191 people on the Indonesian island resort of Bali. The destruction highlighted the effectiveness of the car bomb--one of terrorism’s more deadly tools. There are standard physical security measures designed to help protect buildings and pedestrian areas from car bombs. These measures are static and include setback (a clear area between traffic and buildings), blast-resistant perimeter walls to shield personnel and property from a blast, blast-resistant buildings, and safety glass. The practical measures to protect beyond a secure perimeter include an imminent danger notification system and a surveillance detection element. An imminent danger notification system consists of two parts--a closed circuit television network and a guard force outside the perimeter wall--linked by a command, control, and communications system. There are also unique measures to apply that can lessen the car bomb threat. Vehicle and traffic control can be used to promote security by moderating and restricting how many people own cars and by removing vehicles from protected areas. Vehicle registration can be used to conduct background checks for terrorist connections. Rigorous registration enforcement can be engaged. The type and size of vehicles imported can be restricted. Traffic and parking control can be a flexible and useful tool against car bombs. This tactic includes rerouting traffic, isolating parking lots, strictly imposing parking and traffic regulations, and training law enforcement and business owners to spot potential car bomb tactics. There are patterns to car bomb behavior that authorities should be aware of, including their actions and behavior, erratic driving patterns, and abandoning cars.