The threat of an attack on a high-profile individual or large numbers of people gathered for major public assembly events presents significant challenges for public safety agencies. You cannot ignore threats made against events involving large numbers of people; you must evaluate them by using a combination of intelligence analysis and real-time surveillance and monitoring and by having trained eyes on the problem. While most threats never materialize, some may involve a suspicious package, an unknown powder on the floor, or a strange odor in the area. You must evaluate all of these and strike a balance in your reaction to a threat: Overreacting to a perceived threat could result in disruption of the event or crowd panic; no response to a real threat could result in loss of life.
The proliferation of information technology has made it possible for individuals or groups with limited knowledge and resources to improvise hazardous materials as weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Improvised weapons can range from simple devices such as a paint can to sophisticated weaponry. Safely and rapidly locating, identifying, and evaluating these threats and their associated risks in a low-profile manner require specialized training and skills; but, more importantly, it requires experienced personnel.
organiz联合风险评估小组(JHATs)ed teams that provide technical support for planning and responding to threats at special events. JHATs are normally comprised of specialized personnel from different agencies and disciplines, such as fire, law enforcement, bomb squad, and public health professionals. JHATs may also include scientists and specialists from private organizations or contractors, depending on the type of event or the possible threats that could occur during the events.
If you are a current subscriber,login hereto access this content.
If you would like to become a subscriber, please visit ushere.
