NCJ Number
177439
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 68 Issue: 3 Dated: March 1999 Pages: 11-18
Date Published
1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
After noting an increase in domestic terrorism in the 1990s and possible reasons for it, this article suggests ways that State and local authorities can organize to counter it.
Abstract
A study sponsored by the National Institute of Justice confirmed that State and local law enforcement agencies view the threat of domestic terrorism as real, but their response to the threat varies according to the size and resources of the department and the nature of the threat in any given community. Although the FBI assumes the lead Federal role in the investigation and prevention of domestic terrorism, every terrorist act in the United States remains local in nature. Such acts and the threat of such acts, fall within the purview of State and local law enforcement. FBI activities cannot succeed without cooperation and assistance from local law enforcement agencies. By creating a domestic terrorism planning process at the State and local levels, administrators can respond better to a terrorist incident and also help to identify and prevent terrorist incidents. First, law enforcement officers must recognize a domestic terrorism threat. Next, agencies should develop a readiness to prevent, deter, and interdict terrorist attacks. Planning should include identifying potential threats and those areas that may be vulnerable to attack, maintaining an inventory of relevant agency resources, and creating interagency agreements. Agencies should initiate a formal process of threat assessment whereby situations, circumstances, or conditions are researched and evaluated. Distinguishing between the individuals and groups that advocate extreme views and those who advocate harm to American citizens and institutions is the greatest challenge of threat assessment. Threat assessment should also include target identification. Intelligence gathering and training should be the other major thrusts of a local and State effort to prevent and respond to terrorist threats. 15 notes