NCJ Number
113191
Date Published
1988
Length
116 pages
Annotation
This report describes the antiterrorism measures undertaken in two components of the nation's infrastructure: the Federal court facilities and mass transit systems.
Abstract
Study data came from case studies of seven sites. Current roles and responsibilities for antiterrorism policies, managers' perceptions of domestic terrorism threats, risk-assessment activities, factors considered in choosing risk-reduction strategies, and the evaluation of preventive measures are discussed. Court officials indicated heightened awareness of threats to security because of high-risk trials involving organized crime, drugs, and terrorist groups. Their programs include threat assessments, security surveys and plans, and security measures for various threat levels for both high-risk and more general threats. They seek also to preserve the openness of the court process and to protect the civil liberties of the general public while protecting the participants in judicial activities. Transit officials had no direct experience with terrorist incidents and perceived them to be unlikely. They have general crime prevention and safety programs to protect people, property, and system operations. They have not examined the intrusiveness of their protective strategies in relation to the civil liberties of the general public. Congressional committees concerned about the need for careful planning against the threat of domestic terrorism and about the preservation of civil liberties may want to ask agencies to provide information about their strategies. Figures, tables, appended agency comments, and 59 references.