Marksman-Titan Security Group consistently maintains communication with our public sector partners to review active threats and resources. In these unprecedented times it remains important to stay vigilant and if you see something, say something. Always remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings and report any criminal or suspicious activity immediately to your local law enforcement agency. Remaining vigilant and applying steps to keep yourself and those around you safe could be needed at any moment. As such with the domestic terrorist attack on the morning of January 1, 2025 in New Orleans which saw 15 fatalities and injured at least 35 others, maintaining knowledge of what to do in the case of a vehicle ramming and mass gathering attack could be a matter of life or death. In partnership with our public sector partners including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI), here are steps and indicators to keep in mind to maintaining a safe environment.
MASS GATHERING SAFETY AWARENESS
In local communities, DHS Protective Security Advisors (PSAs) work with federal, state, and local government officials and private sector partners to protect soft targets and crowded places. In doing so, PSAs encourage businesses to “Connect, PIan, Train, and Report”. Applying these four steps in advance of an incident or attack can help better prepare businesses and their employees to proactively think about the role they play in the safety and security of their businesses and communities.
Connect
- Develop relationships with local law enforcement, fire response, and other businesses in the area.
- Clarify emergency response responsibilities and other responsibilities related to venue security and emergency response.
- Share information regarding the event and supporting venue layout with local law enforcement, fire response, and emergency management.
Plan
- Develop plans for security, emergency response, emergency communications, and business continuity.
- Develop a bomb threat management plan to enable informed decisions and appropriate actions upon receipt of a bomb threat or discovery of suspicious items.
- Establish procedures for evacuating the venue in the event that a threat is deemed too serious to continue the event.
- Implement a communication process to inform event attendees of actions to take in case of an emergency and develop
Train
- Train staff and volunteers on: Security basics, emergency response, emergency communications, and business continuity plans.
- Staying aware of any suspicious behavior, activities, or items.
- The “Run, Hide, Fight” response to an active shooter incident and the “Recognize, Avoid, Isolate, and Notify” process when confronting suspicious items or packages.
- Provide specialized training for employees who will take additional response actions (e.g., using fire extinguishers, administering first aid).
- Conduct exercises to ensure plans remain applicable, and involve first responders in the exercises to familiarize them with the venue and its security plans, policies, and procedures.
Report
- Post details on reporting suspicious activity, and encourage staff, volunteers, vendors, and the general public to report suspicious behavior to property management security or local law enforcement.
- Promote general awareness to identify:
– Potential surveillance; excessive study of event entrances, exits, security features (e.g., cameras or barriers), or personnel; and unexplained use of binoculars, cameras, and recording devices near an event location.
– Repeat visitors or outsiders who have no apparent business in restricted areas.
– Erratic vehicle operation, repeated driving near an event location, and parking in the same area over multiple days with no reasonable explanation.
– Abandoned parcels, suitcases, backpacks, and packages.
– Bulky or unseasonable clothing.
– Other unusual behavior, activities, or items.
- Establish a system for reporting security concerns.
VEHICLE RAMMING SAFETY AWARENESS
The use of a vehicle as a weapon in a terrorist attack is not new. Recent terrorist incidents and violent extremist propaganda demonstrate that the use of vehicles as a weapon continues to be of interest by those wishing to cause harm. Attacks of this nature require minimal capability, but can have a devastating impact in crowded places with low levels of visible security.
Potential Indicators
The use of vehicles as weapons often has few or no observable indicators but identifying and reporting suspicious activities may assist in detecting a potential vehicle-ramming attack plot. Any one of these activities may be insignificant on its own, but when observed in combination with other suspicious behaviors — particularly advocacy of violence — they may constitute a basis for reporting.
- Reported theft of large or heavy-duty vehicles.
- Observed difficulty in explaining the planned use of a rented vehicle.
- Exhibited nervousness during vehicle rental discussion and insistence on paying rental fees in cash.
- Inability to produce required documentation, such as a valid driver’s license or appropriate endorsement for the class of vehicle sought.
- Observed difficulties in operating a rented vehicle, such as large or heavy-duty trucks, indicating a lack of familiarity from prior usage or experience.
- Loitering, parking, or standing in the same area over multiple days with no reasonable explanation.
- Unexplained use of binoculars, cameras, and recording devices.
What Should People Do in Case of a Vehicle Ramming Attack?
- Run to the nearest safe area while moving away from the source of hazard.
- If a fall occurs, curl into a protected position and try to get up as soon as possible to avoid being trampled.
- If no rapid escape is possible, seek cover behind any available natural or artificial objects that eliminate direct line of sight from the source of hazard.
- Call 9-1-1 and remain alert for potential secondary attacks.
- Render first aid when safe to do so.
- Maintain situational awareness while providing assistance to others.
- When help arrives, follow instructions given by law enforcement and first responders.
PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES
The following protective measures provide some basic actions to be considered by those responsible for the safety and security of these locations. It is important to balance the security requirements with the operational and functional needs associated with the typical user of the facility or venue. As a result, a mitigation strategy cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach, and instead must be tailored to the specific physical constraints and functional demands of a given location.
Physical Security
- Post signage relating to emergency entry and exit points, first-aid stations, and shelter locations.
- Post signage identifying items that patrons are prohibited from carrying into the venue.
- Define the perimeter and areas that require access control for pedestrians and vehicles, and identify especially sensitive or critical areas (e.g., control rooms, communications centers, computer server rooms, fuel or chemical storage tanks, mechanical equipment) that require special access controls.
- Evaluate vehicle traffic patterns near the venue and implement strategies to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety.
- To the extent possible, keep vehicles at a safe distance from areas where large numbers of people congregate and consider whether fixed or temporary vehicle barriers are needed.
- Restrict all vehicular traffic through controlled and secure “pedestrian-only” areas, including separate ingress and egress routes for delivery vehicles away from events.
- Use remote parking and shuttle services to keep vehicles away from critical assets or mass gatherings.
- Monitor all vehicles approaching an entrance or gathering of people for signs of threatening or suspicious behavior (e.g., unusually high speed, vehicles riding particularly low, vehicles emitting a chemical odor, occupants keeping the windows open even in cold or inclement weather).
- Evaluate the need for vehicle barriers, considering passive barriers (fixed bollards, fences, jersey barriers, etc.) and/or active barriers (retractable bollards, rising wedges, etc.). If appropriate, pre-position heavy vehicles to serve as physical barriers around the perimeter of densely populated locations.
Access, Planning and Personnel Security
- Conduct background checks on all staff assigned to critical or sensitive areas.
- Review personnel files of recently terminated employees to determine whether they pose a security risk.
- Evaluate vehicle traffic patterns near the venue and implement strategies to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety.
- Devise credential systems that indicate areas of access and purpose of activity on the premises.
- Design a monitoring, surveillance, and inspection program that is consistent with venue operations and associated security requirements. If surveillance cameras are used, train personnel to interpret video and identify potential security-related events.
- Conduct a site assessment prior to holding an event that identifies vulnerabilities. For example, the driver of the vehicle may not necessarily follow traffic rules (e.g., one-way street), which must be taken into account when developing a strategy.
EVENT/PROTEST BEST PRACTICES
- If you see something suspicious, report it
- Carry water and stay hydrated
- Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
- Utilize the buddy system
- Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
- Leave any valuables at home
- Do not jump any barricades
- Secure handbags and wallets
- Stay calm and pleasant
- Follow your own instincts
- Leave yourself room to move quickly
As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Vehicle Ramming Awareness Safety Share: CLICK HERE
Mass Gathering Safety Awareness Tips: CLICK HERE
DHS Hometown Security Initiative: https://www.dhs.gov/hometown-security
DHS Active Shooter Preparedness Program: https://www.dhs.gov/active-shooter-preparedness
DHS “If You See Something, Say Something®”: https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something
Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative: https://nsi.ncirc.gov/