The New Terrorist Tactic

“The threat of terrorism keeps me up at night”

    – NYPD Commissioner James “Jimmy” O’Neill

Not a week after NYPD Commissioner O’Neill stated those words at the 12th annual Homeland Security Week Conference in Washington, D.C., a man in a rental truck drove down a Manhattan bike path, killing eight people in what is being described as a terrorist attack.

According to news reports, it was due to heroic acts from law enforcement and other first responders that stopped the tragedy from continuing. “Our first responders did an extraordinary job,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at a press conference. “The NYPD, the FDNY, the FBI, the New York State Police, the EMS…we have the finest security on the globe and to see them in action today proved that once again.” Cuomo went on to describe the new terrorist tactic and one that many law enforcement agencies are concerned with today—lone-wolf terrorist attacks.

Back in January of this year the National Institute of Justice published findings from a report examining whether the trajectory towards acts of violence was similar for lone actor terrorists and mass murderers. Researchers found that though similar in behaviors, lone actor terrorists and mass murderers are significantly different, including the finding that lone actor terrorists are “significantly more likely to verbalize their intent to commit violence to friends, families or a wider audience and have others aware of their desire to hurt others.” If lone wolf terrorists are broadcasting their intent, are we listening?

The NYPD did a fantastic job in its response to the recent attack. Is your own department prepared for such an event? Is your community prepared for such an event? While police intervention is important, preventing mass violence should be a community-wide effort. I’ve recently heard the adage “If you see something, say something” more often than I have previously. We know that law enforcement can’t be everywhere at all times and it takes civilians, healthcare professionals, friends and family members to report suspected acts of potential mass violence. Let’s make sure our communities know we’re relying on them to speak up.

As we head into a new year, I encourage readers to reach out and let me know the topics you’d like to read more about. You can reach me at [email protected].

Stay safe,

Adrienne