On Saturday January 15, a 44-year old British national took four members of a Texas synagogue hostage, demanding the release of a prisoner serving 86 years for trying to kill American military officers while she was in custody in Afghanistan. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of over 250 local, state and federal law enforcement members, along with the bravery and quick-thinking of the four hostages, the standoff ended after 11 hours with none of the victims harmed.
While authorities have identified no specific or credible threat to the Chicago area, officials have reminded the public of the Department of Homeland Security’s “See Something. Say Something.” campaign to work towards preventing future threats from happening both nationally and abroad. Titan stands with the DHS’s message and includes such messaging in all local activity and protest reports, reminding citizens to be aware of their surroundings for the safety of themselves and others.
The FBI, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the DHS jointly released a booklet featuring a broad list of indicators that may demonstrate the likelihood of someone engaging in terroristic activity titled Homegrown Violent Extremist Mobilization Indicators. Risk factors begin with four specific situations to be aware of:
- Inability to cope with changes or perceived failures in relationships, school, or career
- History of violence (e.g., domestic violence or violence toward animals) and unstable mental state
- Social isolation or inability to join with or relate to others
- Possession of, access to, or familiarity with weapons or explosives
Beyond these four risk factors, there are more than four-dozen other indicators sorted into various groups depending on their severity. Here are some of the most vital things to be aware of and to potentially report:
Group C (long-term concern)
- Dehumanizing specific individuals or groups they cannot associate with
- Isolating away from others frequently
- Researching or discussing ways to evade law enforcement
- Conducting suspicious financial transactions
Group B (near-term concern)
- Conducting research for and surveilling potential targets
- Inquiring about jobs that provide sensitive access
- Participating in online sites or groups that promote violent extremism
- Outbursts or noticeable behavior changes following new interests in groups, individuals or events with a history of extremism
Group A (imminent concern)
- Attempting to mobilize others to violence, especially family members and peers
- Preparing and disseminating a last will or statement
- Communicating intent to engage in violent activity via social media, journal entries or other online means
- Seeking help from others and/or preparing to travel to regions with known terroristic activity
Additional indicators can be found via the Homegrown Violent Extremist Mobilization Indicators booklet. As always, if you “See Something, Say Something.” For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274) in the city of Chicago or Cook County.
About Titan Security Group
Titan launched in 1994 with a vision for a better way to provide security services to the Chicagoland community. Today, Titan is one of the largest security companies in North America, scheduling approximately 80,000 hours per week, employing more than 2,000 security staff, and have enjoyed over twenty-eight consecutive years of successfully serving our clients across a wide range of industries. Titan delivers results to clients through flexible, customized security solutions, and superior customer service. The Titan approach combines traditional security staffing with electronic security systems to provide integrated and efficient, customized security solutions from a single source.