Mission
The Mission of the El Paso Police Department Homeland Security Section will
be to lead the effort in keeping El Paso free from any acts of domestic and
/or international terrorism. To promote this mission, the Homeland Security
Section will:
- Develop departmental policy and procedures for Mitigation, Preparedness,
Response and Recovery from Critical Incidents.
- Coordinate information sharing between the various government entities
dedicated to Homeland Security and our department and community;
- Continuous assessment of our city's anti-terrorism needs to identify vulnerable
potential targets and critical infrastructures;
- Develop, secure and implement plans and funding to secure critical police
infrastructure.
- Locate and develop liaison with other first responders and private entities
in the El Paso Metroplex.
- Develop coordination between the El Paso Police Department and State of
Texas Emergency Management Agencies and FEMA.
How and What do we Protect?
First we must think like a terrorist-
Terrorist begin their planning phase after becoming motivated, attempting to
fulfill ideological, personal gain, hate, fear, security, power & ego enhancement
needs. Once motivated by one or more of these needs, several mission oriented
questions will be considered.
Thinking Terrorist
• Is the target critical?
• Is the target accessible?
• Is the target easily restored?
• Is the target vulnerable?
• And what effects will site destruction have on the population?
Terrorist Tactics Include
• Passive/Active Sabotage
• Threats/hoaxes
• Bombs/Bombings
• Arson
• Assassination
• Raids
• Hostage takings
• Kidnappings
• Chemical/Biological devices
• Dirty Bombs
The tactics chosen will correspond to the terrorist’s strength, ideology,
expertise, operational funding, logistics, support, and the effectiveness of
past operations.
To choose a certain tactic & heighten the chances of success terrorists
are trained in many areas.
Training Includes
• Infiltration / Exfiltrations of target areas
• Night operations
• Sabotage methods
• Clandestine communications
• Hand to Hand combat
• Silent killing techniques
• Language & customs of target area or country
• Identification of primary & secondary targets
Security will be evaluated specifically covering:
• Type
• Unarmed / Armed
• Defensive / Offensive
• SWAT capable
• Paramilitary
• Civilian
• Government Trained & contracted
• Privately trained & contracted
It’s a fact that certain kinds of activities can indicate terrorist
plans that are in the works, especially when they occur at or near high profile
sites or places where large numbers of people gather – government buildings,
military facilities, utilities, bus or train stations, major public events.
FBI
Surveillance
• Are you aware of anyone video recording or monitoring activities, taking
notes, using cameras, maps, binoculars, etc.. Near key facilities or events?
Suspicious Questioning
• Are you aware of anyone attempting to gain information in person, by
phone, mail, email, etc. regarding a key facility or people who work there?
Test Security
• Are you aware of any attempts to penetrate or test physical security
or procedures at key facilities/events?
Acquiring Supplies
• Are you aware of anyone attempting to improperly acquire explosives,
weapons, ammunition, dangerous chemicals, uniforms, badges, flight manuals,
access cards or identification for a key facility/event or to legally obtain
items under suspicious circumstances that could be used in a terrorist attack?
Suspicious Persons
• Are you aware of anyone who does not appear to belong in the workplace,
neighborhood, business establishment or near key facilities/events?
“Dry Runs”
• Have you observed any behavior that appears to be preparation for a
terrorist act, such as mapping out routes, playing out scenarios with other
people, monitoring key facilities/events, timing traffic lights or traffic flow,
or other suspicious activities?
Deploying Assets
• Have you observed abandoned vehicles, stockpiling of suspicious materials,
or persons being deployed near a key facility / event?
• If you answered yes to any of these questions or if you have observed
any activity that may relate to terrorism.
Contact the El Paso Police Department at 564-6900 or FBI at 832-5000
Additional Information Links:
American Red Cross- www.redcross.org/index.html
Ready.gov- www.ready.gov/default.html
Department Of Homeland Security- www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/
TX Department of Emergency. Management- www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/
FEMA- www.fema.gov
Rio Grande Council of Governments, (For CERT training contact lennieb@riocog.org)
El Paso Police Department
Homeland Security Office
(915) 564-7276
PDHomelandSecurity@elpasotexas.gov
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