NCJ Number
62669
Date Published
1979
Length
387 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT OF THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT STUDY OF TERRORISM IN DADE COUNTY, FL., IS AN EXTENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DEFINITION, POTENTIALS, MANIFESTATIONS, AND NATURE OF THE PROBLEM OF TERRORISM IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA.
Abstract
WHILE THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE WAS TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF DADE COUNTY TO FIGHT TERRORISM EFFECTIVELY, RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ALSO FORMULATED FOR AN OPERATIONAL PLAN. TERRORISM WAS IDENTIFIED AS A PURPOSEFUL HUMAN ACTIVITY DIRECTED AT OTHER HUMANS, AND AS THE GENERATION OF MASSIVE FEAR INTENDED TO ACT UPON THE INDIVIDUAL OR COLLECTIVE HUMAN WILL. IT COULD BE POLITICAL OR NONPOLITICAL, INTERNATIONAL, TRANSNATIONAL, OR DOMESTIC, 'HIGH TECHNOLOGY,' OR ARTIFICIAL THREATS OF ACTION. CLOSE INSPECTION OF DADE COUNTY'S HISTORY OF TERRORISM REVEALED THE APPEARANCE OF A 'NEW CUBA' ON U.S. SOIL. SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT FURTHER TERRORISM AND TO PROTECT DADE COUNTY RESIDENTS FROM TERRORISTS WERE MADE: (1) A WIDENING OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL, POLICY, AND OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE STUDY IS NEEDED; (2) ASSESSMENT THAT CUBAN POLITICS ARE AFFECTING THE U.S. AND THAT CUBAN AND CENTRAL AMERICAN RADICAL ELEMENTS ARE PRESENT IN FLORIDA MUST BE MADE; (3) MONITORING OF THE PATTERN OF OF TERRORISTIC ENTERPRISES ELSEWHERE MUST BE CARRIED OUT ON A CONTINUAL BASIS; AND (4) GREATER COOPERATION AMONG FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MUST BE FOSTERED. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE THREAT OF TERRORISM IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL VULNERABILITY, GEOGRAPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS, AND THE RANGE AND TYPE OF TARGETS--REFINERIES, AIRPORTS, MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, PUBLIC FACILITIES, HIGHLY CONGESTED POPULATION AREAS, ETC. OTHER NEEDS ARE INCREASED PUBLIC FUNDING, PRIVATE SECURITY FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, INCREASED INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS, SECURITY FOR COURTS AND WITNESSES, MEDIA'S AVOIDANCE OF SENSATIONALISM IN TERRORISM TRIALS, FURTHER COORDINATION BETWEEN CORRECTIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE CONTROL AND CUSTODY OF TERRORIST SUSPECTS OR CONVICTS, FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL POLICE RESOURCES, AND FINALLY, A DADE COUNTY INSTITUTE ON TERRORISM. OVERALL, IT WAS FELT THAT EXISTING RESOURCES COULD BE FURTHER EXPLOITED TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM. (MHP)