NCJ Number
71042
Date Published
1980
Length
339 pages
Annotation
Aimed at the preparation of security and law enforcement professionals in dealing with the threat of terrorist attacks, the book outlines measures for both prevention and reaction.
Abstract
The phenomenon of terrorism is introduced as a politically or criminally motivated violent act calculated to create fear and extend the sphere of the perpetrators' influence. Attacks of a political or criminal nature are not differentiated, since terrorist techniques employed for political purposes or personal gain both constitute violent physical attack upon people or property and require the same methods of defense. Thus, this book is also useful to individuals and corporations interested in reducing their vulnerability to terrorist attack. Practical counterterrorist skills are vital because terrorist personalities are rarely placated by remedies of a broad nature on behalf of their cause or that focus on narrow issues and remain oblivious to large, future-oriented solutions. Five considerations necessary for combating terrorism on both the national and international level are securing intelligence data, gaining physical security of targets, eliminating the underlying causes, formulating policy regarding ransom payment, and eliminating terrorist sanctuaries. At the corporate level, a low profile and physical security should be maintained and pertinent intelligence data gathered. The standard areas of counterterrorism analyzed include the planning of protective strategy, the mechanics of the bodyguard's function, communications, bombings and bomb threats, kidnapping, hostage taking, physical security, counterintelligence, and surveillance photography. Specialized advice is given on the automobile and on driving techniques to protect terrorist targets in vehicles. Sniper attacts are considered in terms of acoustical and perceptual skill in determining the direction from which the attack is launched. A method of using a concealed tachograph in potential target vehicles is recommended as an aid to reconstructing abductions. Support material in the appendixes includes a review of urban guerrilla techniques, a sample executive protection program, a protection plan for visiting officials, and an evaluation of the counterterrorist response capability in the United States. Illustrations, tabular data, and an index are provided.