NCJ Number
211015
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 32 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2005 Pages: 18,20,22-24,26,27
Date Published
August 2005
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article notes the tendency of terrorist groups to seek out "soft" targets for their attacks and suggests a strategy for securing such targets and mitigating the effects of an attack should it occur.
Abstract
"Soft" targets are facilities and locations that are difficult to secure and which are either used by the public in large numbers or have the potential to have a widespread adverse impact on large numbers of people if they are destroyed or disabled. Soft targets include malls, hospitals, schools, colleges, sports facilities, entertainment venues, food-service facilities, chemical plants, oil and gas facilities, and mass transit systems. The list of soft targets will vary from location to location, depending on the size of the community, types of industries, and number of potential targets. Because of their knowledge of the city and its facilities and events, police and firefighters are especially important in identifying soft targets. Once a list of soft targets has been composed and the relative priority of sites established, a contingency plan should be developed for the provision of additional security measures to prevent an attack and minimize the damage should an attack occur. Preventive steps might include increased police or security patrols in and around high-priority sites, the installation of additional monitoring and surveillance devices, and the training of personnel at the site in identifying possible terrorists and their preparatory activities at the site. Suggestions are offered for responding to an attack, for training in soft-target awareness, and for staging a mock event.