NCJ Number
51005
Journal
ASSETS PROTECTION - THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SECURITY AND INVESTIGATION Volume: 3 Issue: 2 Dated: (SUMMER 1978) Pages: 16-24
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF MOVEMENT SECURITY AGAINST THREATS OF KIDNAPPING, ASSASSINATION, AND BOMBING IS PRESENTED, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ABDUCTION AND ASSASSINATION AS SIGNIFICANT TERRORISM THREATS.
Abstract
ABDUCTION IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO BUSINESS EXECUTIVES BECAUSE BOTH CRIMINALS AND TERRORISTS CAN OBTAIN MONEY WITH MINIMAL RISK. ASSASSINATION, AS A GENERAL RULE, IS RESERVED FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THE MAJORITY OF TERRORIST ATTEMPTS ARE MADE DURING VEHICLE MOVEMENT. NUMEROUS MODIFICATIONS CAN BE MADE TO A VEHICLE TO IMPROVE SECURITY. THE PRIME AND PERHAPS MOST VALUABLE MODIFICATION IS THE ADDITION OF BULLET-RESISTANT ARMOR. A POTENTIAL BUYER OF ARMOR SHOULD GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO UPGRADING THE BALLISTIC LEVEL TO A MINIMUM LEVEL III (0.44 MAGNUM HANDGUN) BECAUSE OF THE INFLUX OF HIGH-VELOCITY 9-MM ROUNDS WITH STEEL CORES. ARMOR SHOULD BE AS LIGHTWEIGHT AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT SACRIFICING BALLISTIC CHARACTERISTICS. THE WORTH OF GUNPORTS IS DEBATABLE IN EXECUTIVE AND DIGNITARY PROTECTION. THERE IS A NEED FOR TIRE PROTECTION SINCE VEHICLE MOBILITY IS THE KEY TO SURVIVAL. MOST MANUFACTURERS OF ARMORED VEHICLES PROVIDE SOME BALLISTIC PROTECTION FOR FUEL TANKS. TEAR GAS AND SMOKE DISPENSERS CAN BE VALUABLE ADDITIONS TO A VEHICLE IF PROPERLY ARMED AND UTILIZED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL. THERE ARE SEVERAL INSTRUMENTS ON THE MARKET THAT WILL ENABLE A PERSON TO START THEIR CAR REMOTELY IN THE EVENT OF A BOMB THREAT. ALONG WITH MOBILITY, A GOOD COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM IS CRUCIAL. IF LOCAL LAWS PERMIT, VEHICLES SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC SIREN AND A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM WITH A HIDDEN GRILLE SPEAKER. A SILENT TAMPER INDICATOR IS AVAILABLE THAT CAN BE TIED INTO PERIMETER ENTRY POINTS SUCH AS THE TRUNK, DOORS, AND HOOD. ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH A TRAUMA KIT. PROCEDURES FOR THE SELECTION AND MODIFICATION OF VEHICLES, PERSONNEL TRAINING, AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND COUNTERSURVEILLANCE ARE DESCRIBED. PROBLEMS OF MARKETING MODIFIED VEHICLES AND THE ASSOCIATED PUBLICITY ARE DISCUSSED. (DEP)