Several recent incidents underline the possibility that soft targets, including entertainment venues such as bars and restaurants, are increasingly chosen over hard targets that may hold more significance to the victims and the attacking person or group. Using analysis of recent events and data from the START Global Terrorism Database, the BRIC completed the following study to raise awareness regarding the targeting of entertainment venues by violent extremist groups.
This document is intended to highlight several suspicious activity behaviors and indicators that may be indicative of preoperational terrorist activity for business owners and private sector security personnel. This product focuses on behaviors and indicators that would be of interest prior to any major event. This proactive public safety strategy is an ongoing attempt to provide our private sector partners with some information on suspicious activity.
In March 2014, the White House National Security Council (NSC) requested assistance from three regions with piloting the development of a comprehensive framework that promotes multidisciplinary solutions to countering violent extremism. The Greater Boston region was selected because of its existing collaborative efforts and nationally recognized success with developing robust comprehensive violence prevention and intervention strategies. With the support of the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center, a range of stakeholders in the Greater Boston region began to develop a locally-driven framework. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has had a coordinating role in this process.
The Commonwealth Critical Infrastructure Program (CCIP) analyzed school shooting incidents from 1992-2012 to identify patterns in attacker backgrounds or tactics which could assist officials. Observations are presented in summary format to allow officials to draw their own conclusions. Mitigation steps included in this document are presented to facilitate discussion and are not comprehensive or prescriptive.
Two Massachusetts schools received letters postmarked from Dallas, TX today, March 6, 2012, which contained a white powder. The letters were received at the Memorial Elementary School in Milford, MA and the Dedham Middle School in Dedham, MA. The incidents are being investigated by the FBI and the Department of Fire Services Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Division. Additionally, a letter was also received at a school in Warwick, Rhode Island, one at a school in Fort Kent, Maine and one at a school in Goffstown, NH. On 3/5/2012, a school in CT received a white powder letter. A photo of one of the envelopes is shown below as well as maps of the affected MA schools.
The full text version of a notice first tweeted, then physically handed out to protesters at the Occupy Boston Rally reminding them that the Boston Police Department “Respects Your Right to Peacefully Protest.” The note should be juxtaposed against the events which later transpired, including a large number of arrests well documented in photos and video.
U.S. District Court of Massachusetts indictment of Aaron Swartz for allegedly downloading millions of scholarly articles from JSTOR filed in July 2011.
As Al-Qa‘ida and other terrorist groups continue to seek innovative ways to conduct attacks and circumvent security procedures, there is concern that the holiday season provides attractive opportunities for terrorists to target the Homeland. This bulletin focuses on lodging facilities that serve large numbers of business and leisure travelers and provide venues for a variety of holiday events.
There have been several reports of counterfeit money being passed around the City of Boston since the beginning of December 2008. In the majority of incidents, counterfeit $20 dollar bills were used, but $10, $50 and $100 dollar bills have been used on occasion. The most frequent recipient of these counterfeit bills have been Taxi/ Livery drivers, restaurants and bars in the Dorchester (C11), South Boston (C6), Roxbury (B2) and Jamaica Plain (E13) areas. Boston Police, in conjunction with the United States Secret Service made an arrest on 2/3/09 of an individual that may be responsible for some of the counterfeit currency being passed around (CC# 090061459). Below please find a list of serial numbers that have been used in more than one incident, as well as a list of serial numbers used since 12/12/08.
Detergent suicide is a newer method of committing suicide that appears to be gaining in popularity. According to reports suicide rates are on the increase. One method that appears to be on the rise is the use of common house hold chemicals to make a lethal gaseous combination.This combination of ingredients yields Hydrogen Sulfide Gas (H2S).
FOUO/LES Fusion Center intelligence briefs from the New Jersey Regional Operations Intelligence Center, Boston Regional Intelligence Center, Washington Regional Threat and Analysis Center, and Washington D.C. FireWatch warning of white powder letter incidents from 2008-2010.