Domestic Terrorism - Threat Analysis and Countermeasures (From Symmetry and Asymmetry of Global Adversary Behavior - Proceedings, P 7-19, 1984, Barbara G Curtis, ed. - See NCJ-97172)

• NCJ Number: 97173
• Author(s): D E Moss
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-97172.

Annotation

Terrorist activities in the United States, with a focus on New York City, generally do not involve a high level of sophistication and usually consist of bombings.

Abstract

New York City experienced 10 of the 31 terrorist incidents shown in the FBI statistics for 1983, so the New York City Police Department has had a certain amount of practice in dealing with the problem. Most of the terrorist activity in the United States has both tactical and strategic goals. Terrorists are skilled at disguises and conduct thorough target surveillance before they act. The locations have been changing from the central city to the suburbs of New York, perhaps to complicate investigations by hitting several jurisdictions. The targets are generally symbolic rather than substantial and have usually been government offices or part of the military-industrial complex. The terrorist groups include right-wing groups, left-wing groups, and international groups. The left-wing groups are of the most concern. The commitment of terrorists to their causes borders on religious zealotry. However, they are highly intelligent. Although they act on their own agenda, the peace movement is probably the source of their research material. Physical security is always beneficial in dealing with terrorists. Personal security measures are less important, because assassinations of corporate figures are not a problem. The central problem in security efforts is maintaining alertness in security personnel. Figures and descriptions of terrorist organizations are included.