Preparing for a Mumbai Type Attack in the U.S.
PREPARING FOR A MUMBAI TYPE ATTACK IN THE U.S.
Some months ago I wrote a piece on the November 2008, Mumbai, India, terrorist attacks where I asked is the U.S. ready to identify and defeat a Mumbai type attack.
Sadly, I think not all major cities.
At the time of Mumbai attacks many terrorist experts and news media commentators mentioned how the Indian police were disorganize and had poorly armed police, no SWAT type unit readily available, no centralized command and control, etc.
I continue to observe numerous tactical level anti/counter-terrorist exercises within many cities.
The major problem continues to be that some cities are good at the tactical level but sorely lacking at the operational level.
Let me explain.
Most major urban areas are made up of independent cities with their own police or sheriff’s departments.
New York City and the Los Angeles PD and Sheriff’s Department are exceptions.
My nearest major city of Jacksonville, Florida, has the City of Jacksonville and Duval County served by the Sheriff’s Department all over the city/county.
I’m told it’s the largest city per square miles in the U.S.
Small independent police of sheriff’s departments are generally good at the tactical level where they can respond to a major incident anywhere in their jurisdiction. A Station or District Commander can take charge of one incident without much difficulty.
However, it’s at the operational level where we have multiple jurisdictions where multiple attacks may occur that may not have set up working arrangements or protocols for a multi-events like the Mumbai attacks.
The operational level means preparation for multiple attacks on a large geographical area with multiple law enforcement agencies.
The Administration and Congress are focused on Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). This would not include a “dirty bomb” unless it is a tractor trailer size detonation.