(U//FOUO) At approximately 1830 hours on 1 May 2010, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) laden with a destructive device was observed parked at 45th Street and Broadway in Times Square, New York City. Eyewitness reports described the vehicle as smoking, and popping noises were heard emanating from it but no detonation occurred. Law enforcement investigation of the SUV revealed the following: three 20lb propane tanks; two five gallon gasoline canisters; one container containing a black powder material; one large, sealed, vault-like container with visible wires connecting to two analog alarm clocks; and one fuse.
Documents
Alaska, National Guard
Vigilant Guard 2010 Riot Control, Detention Drills
Department of Homeland Security
(SBU) DHS TRIPwire: Times Square Vehicle Incendiary Device Attack
In the evening of May 1, 2010, a vehicle with a large incendiary device was discovered and rendered safe in Times Square, New York City. The vehicle was parked at 1515 7th Ave. in Times Square, according to local police officials. The vehicle did not detonate as designed, and there were no casualties. The investigation into the attempted bombing is still ongoing. According to open sources, the vehicle was a blue Nissan Pathfinder spotted by a street vendor who noticed smoke emanating from the vehicle about 6:30pm EST. It is believed the vehicle was abandoned just after 6:00pm, and had its hazard lights flashing and its engine still running. A firefighter who arrived on the scene shortly after being notified reported seeing a “flash” and heard a “popping sound” from the trunk of the vehicle. Theatres, hotels and all foot traffic in the area were cleared and streets were cordoned off by police.
Department of Homeland Security
(U//FOUO) DHS Times Square Attempted Bombing Snapshot
(U) Times Square:
–(U) At 6:34pm, a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder bearing Connecticut license plates was discovered in front of 45thStreet and Broadway, the Times Square area of New York City, with smoke in the cabin. Eyewitnesses report seeing smoke and hearing popping sounds coming from inside the vehicle, and people were observed running from the scene. A mounted NYPD Patrol Officer responded, evacuated the area, and notified the bomb squad.
(U) On 2 May, at approximately 1330, Al-Jazeera reported that a group claiming to be Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan had claimed responsibility for the attack in a one-minute long video posted on a video-sharing Website. It has yet to be determined if the tape is authentic, and if so, if the group played any role in the attack.
Intelligence Fusion Centers, Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. Fusion Center: Officer Safety Issues, March 2009
Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center Officer Safety Issues, March 2009.
Department of Justice
Operation Partnership: Law Enforcement and Private Security Collaborations
The law enforcement-private security (LE-PS) partnerships featured here were formed or expanded to address a range of critical needs: to avert or respond to a terrorist attack, support urban downtown revitalization, marshal resources to combat financial crimes, compensate for law enforcement budget cuts, improve safety at special events, improve security for the nation’s infrastructure, and bring community policing approaches and new resources to bear on crimes against residents and businesses. Many of the partnerships have been able to measure success not only by meetings and exchanges of information but also by crimes prevented and solved.
New York
NYPD Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat
NYPD Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat from August 13, 2007.
Regional Information Sharing Systems
Regional Organized Crime Information Center Jamaat ul-Fuqra Report
Over the past two decades, a terrorist group known as Jamaat ul-Fuqra, or “Community of the Impoverished,” has been linked to multiple murders, bombings, and various other felonies throughout the United States and Canada. In 1980, a Pakistani cleric named Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani began preaching against Western culture at a Muslim mosque in Brooklyn, NY. He promoted Islam as the path to a better life and called for fighters to join his holy war against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Regional Information Sharing Systems
Regional Organized Crime Information Center Terrorist Indicators Guide
ANALYSIS of terrorist preparations for past attacks overseas and in the United States suggests that preoperational indicators may be present in the days or weeks prior to an attack. Indicators may point to possible terrorist planning. Alone, an indicator can result from legitimate commercial activity or criminal activity not related to terrorism; however, multiple indicators can suggest a terrorist threat.
Transportation Security Administration
(U//FOUO//LES) TSA 2006 Terrorist Threat to U.S. Highway System
(U//FOUO) Threats to the U.S. highway system (including tunnels, bridges, long-haul buses, school buses, and commercial trucks) emanate from transnational and domestic terrorist organizations, as well as from insiders and special interest groups. However, the primary threat stems from al-Qa’ida, its affiliates, and other Sunni Muslim extremists, whether foreign or domestic. No reporting indicates a current, credible, and specific terrorist threat to U.S. highway interests. However, since 1993 at least three terrorist plots to bomb tunnels and bridges in the United States have been disrupted, aborted, or abandoned. Further, recurring suspicious incidents involving U.S. highway infrastructure and assets could reflect pre-operational terrorist planning. Thus far, however, no definitive link has been established between any of the suspicious incidents and terrorism.
Multi-National Corps Iraq
Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team Overview
Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team Overview, May 10, 2008.
Canada
Canadian Forces Electronic Warfare Manual
Electronic warfare (EW) has been practiced in every conflict since World War I. Fundamentally, the practice of EW has not changed. However, the context in which EW must operate has. The Canadian Land Force has developed new doctrine and has placed a greater emphasis on joint and coalition operations. As well, closer relationships with national and strategic agencies have had significant impacts on the conduct of EW. The purpose of this chapter is to place EW in context of these new developments.
California
Los Angeles County Sheriff Active Shooter Response Tactics
This presentation deals with how to prevent, prepare, and tactically respond to a active shooter incident. This will include a historical overview of noteworthy active shooter incidents, with an emphasis on school shootings. Lessons learned, key terms, and important definitions will be discussed as well as the crisis response box, lockdown, and evacuation procedures. This presentation will also review law enforcement equipment, training and tactics as well as post shooting event incident management and threat assessment & management techniques.
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. CERT Notice: Possible Counterfeit Cisco Routers
US-CERT is aware of recent open source reports regarding possible counterfeit Cisco routers. US-CERT originally reported this activity in April 2006. Please note that US-CERT is re-releasing that information in this report for situational awareness purposes due to the new open source reporting and to provide methods for determining if a router is counterfeit.
Congressional Research Service
Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
The Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD) program, which is carried out by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Navy, gives Navy Aegis cruisers and destroyers a capability for conducting BMD operations. Under current MDA and Navy plans, the number of BMD-capable Navy Aegis ships is scheduled to grow from 20 at the end of FY2010 to 38 at the end of FY2015. MDA and Navy plans also call for an increasing portion of the Navy’s BMD-capable Aegis ships to be equipped with newer and more capable versions of the Aegis BMD system.
California
California Computer And Technology Crime High Tech Response Team (CATCH) Overview
California Computer And Technology Crime High Tech Response Team (CATCH) Overview, December 2003.
Germany
German Federal Police Forensic Analysis of Cell Phones and SIM Cards
Bundeskriminalamt German Federal Police Forensic Analysis of Cell Phones and SIM Cards, 2008.
Texas
Apple iPhone Password Work-Around
If you encounter an Apple iPhone where the phone is locked with a Passcode, keep in mind the hand set only allows 5 Passcode attempts before locking out phone. This work-around is limited to iPhones with firmware versions 1.1.2 and earlier. The workaround was disabled on version 1.1.3 in February 2008. Data can be retrieved from the SIM card as well as from the phone handset. To remove the SIM card, place a paperclip in the hole at the top of the phone. Force must be applied to get the SIM holder to pop-up. The SIM card will be inside a plastic tray and can be easily removed. Process the SIM card as normal.
United States
Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) Task Force
The Silicon Valley High Technology Task Force, also known as the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT), is a partnership of 17 local, state, and federal agencies, with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office designated as the lead agency. The REACT Task Force is one of five in the State of California and authorized under California Penal Code 13848. All Agents of the React Task Force are either California Peace Officers and/or U.S. Federal Agents.
California
2008 High Technology Crime In California: Annual Report to the Governor & Legislature
California is home to many of the largest and most advanced technology companies in the world. We also have most of our citizens online in ever increasing amounts. In 2008, 75% of Californians reported that they use a computer at home, work, or school, and 70% use the Internet. Accompanying such an explosion in the telecommunication and Internet penetration has been a concomitant rise in technology crime. Our experience has taught us that technology and computers have given stalkers, pedophiles, destructive disgruntled employees, thieves, scam artists and those seeking infamy a new forum in which to ply their trade and cause misery.
California, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service
Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) Task Force Funding and Progress Report
Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team (REACT) Task Force Funding and Progress Report including personnel roster, January 2010.
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force SKL Wireless & Black Data Distribution System Overview
FOUO U.S. Air Force Cryptologic Systems Group SKL Wireless & Black Data Distribution System Overview, July 2009.
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force SKL (Simple Key Loader) Instruction Guide
FOUO U.S. Air Force SKL (Simple Key Loader) Instruction Guide, July 2007.
Department of Justice
NDIC Money Laundering in Digital Currencies Report
Digital currencies combine the intrinsic value of gold and other precious metals as well as the designated value of national currencies with the worldwide reach of the Internet to create an ideal mechanism for international money laundering. Users can anonymously fund digital currency accounts, send those funds (sometimes in unlimited amounts) to other digital currency accounts worldwide, and effectively exchange the funds for foreign currencies—often while bypassing U.S. regulatory oversight.
Threats and Takedown Notices
Las Vegas Police Request Removal of Document from Public Intelligence
During the month of April 2010, we have received the same message twice from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department concerning a Law Enforcement Sensitive brief entitled “Silver Shield: Nevada’s Approach to Critical Infrastructure Protection” from November 2007. The briefing discusses various aspects of Suspicious Activity Reporting, Fusion Center integration, and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to patrol portions of the city for aerial photography during incident response.