NCJ Number
76463
Date Published
1979
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Terrorism countermeasures considered include executive protection, aircraft high-jacking and sabotage prevention, negotiations, tactical force response, installation security, crisis management, and policy networks. New research and international cooperation are also examined.
Abstract
Strategies for protecting corporate and government executives must consider office and plant, residential, and travel security factors. Aircraft security programs have emphasized prevention through passenger and cargo screening and personnel training; methods should also be developed to identify explosives concealed on passengers or in cargo. Responses to negotiations situations require a combination of tactical expertise and behavioral sciences knowledge. Moreover, time and the negotiator's style and approach are the most important factors in these situations. Specialized terrorist units are increasingly being employed in the United States by local law enforcement agencies. Yet national forces, such as those in European nations, provide for more varied functions, are more versatile, and often receive more training. Although Project Blue Light, the U.S. Army anti-terrorist unit has been trained, it has yet to be deployed. Finally, installation security has focused on nuclear facility protection; however, other types of facilities such as communications and energy storage installations may come under future attack. Thus, new government organizational structures are needed which cut across agency lines and governmental levels to respond to terrorism. Although research in this area has centered on creating data systems and models, evidence is lacking on model effectiveness. The United States has been least successful in establishing international cooperative efforts against terroristic activities; regional and bilateral efforts hold more promise than those sponsored through the United Nations. Notes are included.