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Homeland Security warns about vehicle bombs

As security continues to tighten against terrorist attacks, terrorists are moving to softer targets with high casualties, including residences, schools, recreational and shopping venues, and business buildings and complexes.

The Department of Homeland Security urged a reexamination of antiterrorism measures to:

Make sure physical security perimeters are set back distances between security fences and key buildings, and barricades.
Maintain situational awareness of world events and ongoing threats. Ensure all levels of personnel are notified via briefings, e-mail, voice mail and signage of any changes in threat conditions and protective measures.
Encourage personnel to be alert and immediately report any situation that appears to constitute a threat or suspicious activity.
Encourage personnel to avoid routines, vary times and routes, pre-plan, and keep a low profile, especially during periods of high threat.
Encourage personnel to take notice and report suspicious packages, devices, unattended briefcases, or other unusual materials immediately; inform them not to handle or attempt to move any such object.
Encourage personnel to keep their family members and supervisors apprised of their whereabouts.
Encourage personnel to know emergency exits and stairwells and the locations of rally points to ensure the safe egress of all employees.
Increase the number of visible security personnel wherever possible.
Rearrange exterior vehicle barriers, traffic cones, and road blocks to alter traffic patterns near facilities and cover by alert security forces.
Institute/increase vehicle, foot and roving security patrols varying in size, timing and routes.
Implement random security guard shift changes.
Arrange for law enforcement vehicles to be parked randomly near entrances and exits.
Review current contingency plans and, if not already in place, develop and implement procedures for receiving and acting on threat information, alert notification procedures, terrorist incident response procedures, evacuation procedures, bomb threat procedures, hostage and barricade procedures, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) procedures, consequence and crisis management procedures, accountability procedures, and media procedures.

After implementing those, security personnel should conduct internal training exercises and invite local emergency responders to join them.

Other measures highlighted include:

Coordinate and establish partnerships with local authorities to develop intelligence and information sharing relationships.
Place personnel on standby for contingency planning.
Limit the number of access points and strictly enforce access control procedures.
Approach all illegally parked vehicles in and around facilities, question drivers and direct them to move immediately, if owner can not be identified, have vehicle towed by law enforcement.
Consider installing telephone caller I.D., record phone calls, if necessary.
Increase perimeter lighting.
Deploy visible security cameras and motion sensors.
Remove vegetation in and around perimeters, maintain regularly.
Institute a robust vehicle inspection program to include checking under the undercarriage of vehicles, under the hood, and in the trunk. Provide vehicle inspection training to security personnel.
Deploy explosive detection devices and explosive detection canine teams.
Conduct vulnerability studies focusing on physical security, structural engineering, infrastructure engineering, power, water, and air infiltration, if feasible.
Initiate a system to enhance mail and package screening procedures (both announced and unannounced).
Install special locking devices on manhole covers in and around facilities.

Related resources, tips, and facts

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