Countering Terrorism Countering Terrorism in Our Schoolsin Our Schools

©This TCLEOSE approved School-Based Law Enforcement Lesson is the property of ICJS 2011

Institute for Criminal Justice StudiesInstitute for Criminal Justice StudiesInstitute for Criminal Justice StudiesInstitute for Criminal Justice Studies

LEARNING OBJECTIVESLEARNING OBJECTIVES1. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to define

Terrorism.

2. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand International and Domestic Terrorism.

3. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand the 3-types of Terrorist.

4. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand there are active Terrorist training bases/camps within the United States.

5. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand why Terrorist would target a school.

6. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand the extensive training terrorist submit to.

7. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand and identify why our schools are considered “Soft Targets”.

8. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand the affects of media for Terrorist acts to reinforce terrorists goals/objectives.

9. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand the importance for planning and practicing active threat prevention drills.

10. Learning Objective: The participant will be able to understand how terrorist target school buses and prevention measures.

LEARNING OBJECTIVESLEARNING OBJECTIVES

DISCLAIMERDISCLAIMER:The goal of this presentation is not to predict future school related terrorism or terroristic events; rather to increase awareness and help to identify skills, and actions needed to prevent, deter and/or negate the impact and recover from such an incident or event should one occur. Neither is it designed to make anyone an expert on terrorism but merely to stimulate vigilance and a conscious prevention posture. There are no absolutes or guarantees in Crime Prevention that can or will provide 100% protection against any criminal activity.

WHAT IS “TERRORISM”?WHAT IS “TERRORISM”?

• The unlawfulunlawful useuse of forceforce against personspersons or propertyproperty to intimidate a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof in furtherance of politicalpolitical or socialsocial objectives.

• The unlawful useuse or threatthreat of violenceviolence against the statestate or the publicpublic as a politically motivated means of attackattack or coercion; violent or intimidating gang activity.

WHO OR WHAT IS A WHO OR WHAT IS A “TERRORIST”?“TERRORIST”?

• Criminals

• Crazies

• Crusaders

TERMINATED (DECEASED) 5-1-2011 by U.S. NAVY SEALS

TYPES of TERRORISM: • INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM:

• DOMESTIC TERRORISM:

Ramadan Abdulla Mohammed

Fahid Mohammed Ali

Osama Bin Laden the “DEAD MAN”

Saif Al-Adel

NAME THAT TERRORISTNAME THAT TERRORIST

Timothy McVeigh “The DEAD MAN”Oklahoma City Bomber

Steve KazmierczakNorthern Illinois University Shooter

Seung Hui ChoVirginia Tech Shooter

Barry MillsAryan Nations

NAME THAT TERRORISTNAME THAT TERRORIST

WHY WOULD A TERRORIST WHY WOULD A TERRORIST TARGET A SCHOOL?TARGET A SCHOOL?

• May 1977May 1977: Bovendsmille, Holland. A group of Moluccan Terrorist took more than 100 students hostage in an elementary school in Bovendsmille Holland. Dutch Royal Marines performed highly successful tactical rescue freeing all hostages and capturing all terrorist without firing a shot.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISMINTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

On May 23, 1977 a train hijack takes place close to the village of De Punt in the Drenthe province, northeast part of the Netherlands. Nine armed Moluccans pulled the emergency brake around 9 AM and took about 50 people as hostages. The hijacking lasted for 482 hours (20 days); two hostages and six hijackers were killed.

WHY WOULD A TERRORIST WHY WOULD A TERRORIST TARGET A SCHOOL?TARGET A SCHOOL?

May 1986May 1986: Cokeville, Wyoming. David and Doris Young (both of whom held extremist views and wished to create a brave new world) took teachers and students hostage in an elementary school using firearms and explosives. The David shot a teacher in the back and accidentally detonating the explosives killing his wife (Doris) and injured some of the hostages. DOMESTIC TERRORISMDOMESTIC TERRORISM

International TerrorismInternational TerrorismFebruary 1993February 1993: New York City. A terrorist cell living within the United States detonated a bomb in the parking garage of the World Trade Center in an attempt to collapse both towers. A deliberate and planned attack – strike at the symbol of American business in downtown New York City. Six people were killed and more than 1000 were injured (mass casualty scene). Schools in immediate vicinity were effected.

Domestic TerrorismDomestic TerrorismApril 19th, 1995April 19th, 1995: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A rental truck packed with highly volatile explosives was detonated by Timothy McVeigh. This explosion took out half of the structure of the Murray Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 168 people were killed including children. It was called “Terror in the Heartland” by the media.

• March 1998March 1998: American school in Amman Jordan.

Rocked by explosion by terrorist who were upset by U.S. conflict with Iraq over UN arms inspection.

• August 1999August 1999: Los Angeles, California.

Jewish Community Center (Day Care) anti-Semitic (Neo Nazi) gunman opened fire inside day care center killed several children

• September 2001September 2001: Adam Junction in Israel.

Terrorist attacked a mini-school bus loaded with kindergarten teachers killing two and seriously wounding three more, while simultaneously another terrorist suicide bomber prematurely blew himself up before he entered the school in Jerusalem and a bomb was thrown at a group of Catholic school girls wounding four officers who were escorting the girls.

• September 11th, 2001September 11th, 2001: New York City.Both Towers were hit by Al Qaeda suicide bombers flying U.S. based air planes

• October 7th, 2002October 7th, 2002: Bowie, Maryland.

D.C. Sniper Lee Boyd Malvo killed a 13-year old boy as he arrived at Benjamin Tasker MS. Malvo and John Allen Mohammed killed 16 people before their killing spree ended.

September 2004September 2004: Belsan, Russia.

“SOFT-TARGETS”. • SchoolsSchools are very powerful –

attentionattention getting symbolicsymbolic targets.

• Our childrenchildren are our country’s “Most Precious Natural ResourceResource”.

• School can create a massmass casualtycasualty event, with large numbers of young childrenchildren as victimsvictims.

“SOFT-TARGETS”Continued

• TerroristTerrorist know that attacks on innocent childreinnocent children will gain maximum media coverage.

• An attackattack on a schoolschool is a strike at the “HEARTHEART of AMERICA”.

TERRORIST MOTIVATIONS TO TERRORIST MOTIVATIONS TO ATTACK SCHOOLS:ATTACK SCHOOLS:

• SchoolsSchools and school busesbuses and school eventsevents are relative soft targets.

• Perceived as to time-consumingtime-consuming and costlycostly to defend against.

• Schools typically do not have the level of physicalphysical securitysecurity or force protectionprotection.

• If we loose a child it is very emotionalemotional and devastatingdevastating to our lives.

• Attacking our schools make people feel an inabilityinability to protectprotect the children.

• HumiliateHumiliate government.

• Creates “FEAR”“FEAR” and causes panicpanic.

Oklahoma City Bombing

Many still have image of this picture,Many still have image of this picture,some 13-years later!some 13-years later!

CNNCNN: The source of timely and accurate information

for us as well as for “TERRORISTTERRORIST”

How many times hasHow many times hasyour school initiatedyour school initiateda full scale rehearsala full scale rehearsal

of yourof yourEEmergency mergency OOperations perations PPlanlan

in the last two years?in the last two years?

TERRORIST TRAIN TERRORIST TRAIN and REHEARSE and REHEARSE CONSISTENTLY.CONSISTENTLY.

A crisiscrisis at an elementary school instantly evokesevokes strong

emotionalemotional parental response.response.

THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN HERE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN HERE IN TEXASIN TEXAS

Domestic School IncidentsDomestic School Incidents

• October 1st, 1997October 1st, 1997 Pearl, Mississippi.

• March 24th, 1998March 24th, 1998 - Jonesboro, Arkansas.

• November 19th, 1999November 19th, 1999 – Deming New Mexico.

Luke Woodham 16-year old shot and killedLuke Woodham 16-year old shot and killedhis mother. He then went to his High Schoolhis mother. He then went to his High SchoolWhere he shot 9-students killing two.Where he shot 9-students killing two.

Mitchell Johnson 14 and Andrew Golden Mitchell Johnson 14 and Andrew Golden pulled a fire alarm and shot students when pulled a fire alarm and shot students when they came outside killed 4-students, 1-they came outside killed 4-students, 1-teacher and wounded 10 other childrenteacher and wounded 10 other children

Victor Cordova Jr. 12 shot 13-year girl inVictor Cordova Jr. 12 shot 13-year girl inthe head while she sat in a classroom.the head while she sat in a classroom.

School School ViolenceViolencePerpetratorsPerpetrators

School School ViolenceViolencePerpetratorsPerpetrators

Charles WHITMANCharles WHITMANLuke WOODHAM Luke WOODHAM

MitchellMitchellJOHNSONJOHNSON

AndrewAndrewGOLDEN GOLDEN

VictorVictorCORDOVACORDOVA

• December 6th, 1999December 6th, 1999 – Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

• February 8th, 2008February 8th, 2008 – Baton Rouge, LA.

Do you think the potential isDo you think the potential ishere for an attack in a Texashere for an attack in a Texasschool?school?

Doesn’t Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahomaand New Mexico literally surroundthe state of Texas?

Two young women enter Technical College Two young women enter Technical College classroom and shot and killed two other classroom and shot and killed two other students.students.

Seth Trickey 13 fired 15-rounds into his Middle School woundingSeth Trickey 13 fired 15-rounds into his Middle School woundingfour students.four students.

Other reasons our school are soft-targets

• Law enforcement working at a school campus who does not who does not know school know school EOPEOP..

• AdministratorsAdministrators decide they will decide they will handle and deal with and handle and deal with and failing to failing to reportreport or or documentdocument incidents at his/her school.incidents at his/her school.

Other reasons our school are soft-targets - Continued

• Someone observedobserved taking photographsphotographs and no action taken.

• Test Test schedulesschedules and and requirementsrequirements verses verses timetime..

• Administrator Administrator Catch-22Catch-22

• MediaMedia over-reacting to to proactive schools.proactive schools.

• School kids School kids demandingdemanding right to right to carry carry weaponsweapons..

• What will be next – teachers carrying or packing heat?

• TERRORIST WILL ATTEMPT TO DRAW SCRUITY ON THE GOVERNMENT .

• RATIONALIZATIONRATIONALIZATION FOR VIOLENCE.

• IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOLSCHOOL PLANNING.

IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL PLANNINGPLANNING

• VigilantVigilant defensive and common-sense postureposture.

• HolisticHolistic and comprehensivecomprehensive all-hazardshazards emergency operations plan.

• Texas School Safety Center Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC)(TxSSC) can help you – call or can help you – call or visit their websitevisit their website

877 – 304 - 2727877 – 304 - 2727

www.txssc.txstate.eduwww.txssc.txstate.edu

School Safety & Security Audit TrainingSchool Safety & Security Audit TrainingNo Cost to your Police DepartmentNo Cost to your Police Department

IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL PLANNING – continued:PLANNING – continued:

• Beware of so-called expertsexperts.

• CrimeCrime preventionprevention history since 17th century – there are no guarantees.

• AvoidAvoid over-reacting

IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL PLANNING – continued:PLANNING – continued:

• TRAININGTRAINING helps over come fear.

• People will respondrespond they way they have been trainedtrained – instinctively.

• If it does not look does not look rightright – – reportreport it!it!

IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL PLANNING – continued:PLANNING – continued:

• Do not set on Do not set on informationinformation.

• Do not waste Do not waste fundingfunding..

BASICS for PreventionBASICS for Prevention

• HolisticHolistic written all hazard EOP.

• VulnerabilityVulnerability - threat - threat assessment.assessment.

• Full scale rehearsals.

BASICS for PreventionBASICS for Prevention

• Vigilance and a common sense approach. Realistic trainingtraining.

• SBLESBLE Officers viable first responders.

• Immediate actionaction and timingtiming can deter an incident when seconds count………….

§ EC 37.108. Multi-hazard Emergency § EC 37.108. Multi-hazard Emergency Operations Plan; Security Audit – Continued:Operations Plan; Security Audit – Continued:

(b) At least once every three years, a school district shall conduct a security auditconduct a security audit of the district's facilities. To the extent possible, a district shall follow security audit procedures developed by the Texas School Safety Center or a comparable public or private entity.

(c) A school district shall report the results of the security audit conducted under Subsection (b) to the district's board of trustees.

SCHOOL BUSES AND TERRORISM

• May 8th, 1970May 8th, 1970 Palestinian terrorist murdered nine children and crippled for life 19-other children when he (lone gunman) attacked a school bus.

SCHOOL BUSES AND TERRORISM

• Terrorist clearly demonstrated that a schoolschool busbus attack – makes a statement.

• DesirableDesirable and vulnerablevulnerable (soft) targetstargets of opportunity.

WHAT IS A SCHOOL BUS TO A WHAT IS A SCHOOL BUS TO A TERRORIST?TERRORIST?

• VisualVisual extension of the school itself.

• Symbol Symbol of local government.

Other considerationsOther considerations

• If a studentstudent armed only with a swordsword can force a school bus to drive from Nevada to California – what do you think a well-armed terrorist can do?

TERRORIST TERRORIST Criminals – CraziesCriminals – Crazies

AndAndCrusadersCrusaders

Seek RecognitionSeek RecognitionFrom the MEDIA!From the MEDIA!

TERRORIST BUS ATTACK TERRORIST BUS ATTACK HISTORYHISTORY

• September 2001:September 2001:

• November 2001:November 2001:

• June 18th, 2002: June 18th, 2002:

• February 22, 2004: February 22, 2004:

Are school buses targets?Are school buses targets?

Palestinian Terrorist attackmini school bus kill two and injure 3-more

Palestinian Terrorist attackschool bus kill two and severely wound 3-more

Suicide-bomber Terrorists kill 19 wound 74 others.

Terrorists kills 8 andwounds 60 others.

YESYESYESYES

DISCLAIMER:DISCLAIMER:

• For the record ladies and gentlemen – No one is saying here or even predicting our school buses are; or will be the number one target for any foreign or domestic terrorist. This is mere information or statement of facts that school buses are vulnerable.

Hardening Security Posture for Hardening Security Posture for School Buses:School Buses:

• Security camerascameras.

• Electronic trackingtracking systems.

• NumberingNumbering roof tops of buses.

• Emergency warningwarning light.

Hardening Security Posture for Hardening Security Posture for School Buses - continued:School Buses - continued:

• Security for buses afterafter hours.

• 2-way radios.

• TrainingTraining for bus drivers.

• BackgroundBackground checks on drivers.

WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?

• Take a holistic allall hazardshazards approach in developing/writing EOP.

• PracticePractice (table top exercises). (table top exercises).

• At minimum one full At minimum one full rehearsalrehearsal per year. per year.

WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO?

• Emergency Operations Plan should be tailoredtailored to your schoolschool.

• TRAININGTRAINING

Four Phases of Emergency Four Phases of Emergency ManagementManagement

• Mitigation/Prevention:

• PreparednessPreparedness:

• ResponseResponse:

• Recovery:

He/she that prepares,He/she that prepares,trains and practicestrains and practices

today is ready fortoday is ready fortomorrow.tomorrow.NN

EEVVEERR

AAGGAA IINN

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

SOURCESSOURCES

Course Contact InformationCourse Contact Information

Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC)350 N. Guadalupe, Suite 140, PMB 164

San Marcos, Texas 78666.

877-304-2727 www.txssc.txstate.edu/LE

Institute for Criminal Justice StudiesInstitute for Criminal Justice StudiesInstitute for Criminal Justice StudiesInstitute for Criminal Justice Studies