Security and Safety Tips
Pre-Event Violence Planning: Indicators and Behaviors
In these unprecedented times it remains important to stay vigilant and if you see something, say something. This is a summary from a portion of the recent Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Private Sector, document “Multi-Agency Partners Collaborate to Mitigate Community Violence.”
The
occurrence of a violent incident is generally represented as the culmination of
a gradually escalating behavior pattern from a troubled person. Certain
behaviors and actions can help when evaluating a threat of impending violent
behavior. However, organizations should evaluate the totality of aggressive
behavior, message delivery, and other relevant circumstances when forming a
threat assessment or a notification to law enforcement.
Below
are certain behaviors and actions that are common in pre-event violence
planning:
- Recent
and significant grievance, injustice, personal loss, or humiliation; real or
simply perceived.
- Statements/behaviors
which seem to indicate end of life planning or an interest in destructiveness.
- Contextually
inappropriate behavior, intense interest in previous violent attacks or mass
shootings.
- Sudden
withdrawal from life patterns, absence from work without explanation, failing
to appear for an appointment, cessation of medications.
- Sudden
onset of impulsive, reckless behaviors that may suggest desensitization,
dehumanization, or a lack of concern for future consequences.
- Fixation,
pre-occupation, or efforts to physically approach an apparent target/victim;
stalking, evidence of items left for the target (such as flowers), evidence of
surveillance, or attempts to breach or circumvent protocol, safety or security
measures.
- Recent
acts of experimental aggression, including trespass, animal cruelty, or
vandalism.
- Drastic
changes in appearance such as a shaved head, a large number of tattoos,
contextually inappropriate law enforcement or military costuming, sudden weight
loss or gain, cessation of hygiene, or a sudden unkempt appearance.
- Preparation
of statement, leakage warning behavior to a third party, or farewell writings,
including social media manifestos, or videos.
Additional Resources
United
States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Behavioral
Analysis Unit. 2017 “Making Prevention a Reality.” A practical guide on
assessing and managing the threat of targeted violence and contains concrete
strategies to help communities prevent targeted violence. https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/making-prevention-a-reality.pdf/view
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).