NCJ Number
67241
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1980) Pages: 38-44
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE STATES THAT AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, ESPECIALLY RURAL OFFICERS, MUST LEARN ABOUT TERRORISM AND MUST BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE PRESENCE OF TERRORIST ACTIVITY IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS.
Abstract
TERRORISM AS DESCRIBED IN THIS ARTICLE EXCLUDES GUERRILLA WARFARE IN A WAR ENVIRONMENT AND QUASI-TERRORISTS OR CRIMINALS WHO ADOPT THE JARGON OF A POLITICAL CAUSE TO FURTHER THEIR OWN ENDS. U.S. TERRORIST GROUPS CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES: DOMESTIC GROUPS WHICH ARE CONCERNED WITH AMERICAN POLITICAL OR SOCIAL ISSUES, AND FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY BE CONCERNED WITH LOCAL OR INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL CONFLICTS. THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) HAS IDENTIFIED COLORADO, THE CALIFORNIA SIERRAS, AND THE MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE FORESTED AREAS AT THE MAIN URBAN GUERRILLA TRAINING AREAS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. TERRORIST GROUPS SEEK OUT RURAL AREAS TO OBTAIN FOOD, SHELTER, SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, MORAL SUPPORT AND RECRUITS, FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND ACTIVITY, AND TARGETS FOR THEIR OPERATIONS. THE ALERT RURAL POLICE OFFICER CAN LEARN TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF POSSIBLE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES BY LEARNING FROM MERCHANTS ABOUT LARGE FOOD OR AMMUNITION PURCHASES AND BY INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF PROWLERS, UNUSUAL ACTIVITY IN BACKWOODS AREAS, OR BLASTING OR GUNFIRE. WITH SOME FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS USING TERRORIST ACTIVITY AS A TOOL TO EXPAND THEIR INFLUENCE, TERRORISM IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE. THE DILEMMA OF SUPPRESSING TERRORIST GROUPS WITHOUT SUPPRESSING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS WILL TEST THE METTLE OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING THEIR CITIZENS. A TOTAL OF 21 FOOTNOTES ARE GIVEN.