Vehicular Terrorism the Threat Behind the Wheel

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Risk Software & Systems Security Consulting Technology Integration Personnel Vehicular Terrorism The Threat Behind the Wheel

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW other cities in Massachusetts, authorities trucks to stop truck-driving attackers like went on a heightened state of vigilance. those in Germany and France. Recent vehicular attacks in France and Germany clearly highlighted the viability of The alert remains high and countermeasures Over 100 patrol cars were also used as vehicle ramming as a legitimate terrorist are extended into the 2017 New Year. On blocking vehicles. To limit vehicular traffic, tactic and one that should be a focus for law Dec. 28, 2016, the Nashir Media Foundation, extra public transit service was provided enforcement, especially during special event a pro-Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to and from the city until 2 a.m. New Year’s planning. These attacks vividly demonstrate (ISIL) group, urged ISIL supporters “to carry Day. NJ Transit provided extra service to how challenging it can be to stop a vehicular out attacks on targets such as markets and and from New York City from New Year’s attack once it has been launched. The hospitals in Europe over the Christmas Eve until 6 a.m. New Year’s Day, along with attacks also signal a new strategy in Islamic holiday period and urged Muslims to stay extra evening and late night bus routes in terrorism that uses small cyber-connected away from Christian celebrations.” and out of Port Authority Bus Terminal. cells of radicalized Muslim militants. In a message posted online to “Islamist Similar countermeasures for the New Year’s The sudden increase of this activity ‘lone wolves’ in Europe,” the Foundation Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California leading up the 2016 Christmas holidays said, “Their celebrations, gatherings, clubs, followed the increased alert. These included resulted in significant countermeasures by markets, theaters, cinemas, malls and barricades, water-filled barriers at some law enforcement and security personnel even their hospitals are all perfect targets streets, security checkpoints and clandestine throughout the United States. In New for you.” Although not specifically citing measures designed to stop terrorists from York City, police dispatched heavily armed vehicular attacks, the message was clear… crashing cars into crowded areas. counterterrorism officers to stand guard Attack by all means possible. at crowded pop-up Christmas markets in Continuing and increasing countermeasures Union Square, Bryant Park and Columbus However, New Year terror threats came are planned between Friday, Jan. 20, and Circle only an hour after news of the shortly after ISIL promised to bomb Monday, Jan. 23 to and from Washington, attack in Berlin. Other cities followed with Christians and their churches in the DC, for the Presidential Inauguration. These similar tactics. United States, Canada, France and the preparations cover not only the ceremony Netherlands, stating, “We will make your at the National Capitol, but also the many In Chicago, police parked their vehicles New Year mayhem with bombings and Inaugural Events within the District of diagonally at the corners of Daley Plaza to trampling attacks.” Columbia during the celebration. block any vehicular access to a Christmas market being held there. In San Francisco, Countermeasures by law enforcement for A vehicular attack is easy for anyone to motorcycle and mounted horse units New Year’s Eve in New York City included launch with little or no planning. Active patrolled high-traffic shopping areas. In Los extra security being added not just in New shooter tactics target crowds who are Angeles, law enforcement placed rows of York City, but New Jersey as well. There were contained, vehicle ramming tactics are not two to three cars or other large equipment extra security checkpoints across the Times hampered by this requirement. Crowds in front of large event entrances, which Square area. Over 7,000 police officers of people are ubiquitous in every city in included two massive parades in West patrolled the area, and the NYC sanitation America, regardless of holidays, special Hollywood this year. In Boston, at the scene department blocked strategic intersections events or general workdays, and security of the marathon bombing and throughout with 65 large garbage collection and sand personnel and law enforcement must be

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Copyright 2017 G4S North America. All rights reserved. Vehicular Terrorism: The Threat Behind the Wheel Corporate Risk Services prepared for evolving terrorist tactics that the timeline of recent incidents indicates a white van at the Christmas market, then remain unconventional but are simple and growing understanding of the viability and attempted suicide by stabbing himself. Ten easily supported logistically. ease of a vehicular attack: people, including the suspect, suffered non-fatal injuries, and one person was BACKGROUND • Dec. 19, 2016, Berlin, Germany. 12 people pronounced clinically dead the following dead and 56 others injured. The truck’s day. The attack was apparently inspired The internet and social media provide original driver, Lukasz Urban, was found by a video circulated by ISIL calling on unlimited access to motivation, tactics, shot dead in the passenger seat. The French Muslims to attack non-Muslims techniques and procedures for planning actual perpetrator was killed on Dec. 23, using vehicles. several types of terrorist attacks, including during a shootout with police near Milan vehicular attacks. Inspire Magazine, the in Italy. ISIL claimed responsibility for the • Dec. 21, 2014, Dijon, France. A driver English language publication of Al-Qaida in attack, saying that the attacker answered shouted ’Allahu Akbar’ before ramming the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), is a major its calls to target the citizens of states his van into pedestrians, injuring 11 media venue for several recent terrorist that are fighting against it. On Dec.23, people. attacks in Europe and the United States. 2016, ISIL released a video of the suspect • Oct. 20, 2014, Quebec, Canada. An ISIL The magazine, which published its first pledging allegiance to the terror group’s radicalized man in a car, hit two Canadian edition in July of 2010, is believed to leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. soldiers, killing one of them before he have been started by Anwar al-Awiaki, an • Nov. 28, 2016, Columbus, Ohio. A Somali was shot dead by police at St-Jean-sur- American citizen based in Yemen, but born Richelieu in Quebec. in the United States. refugee named Abdul Razak Ali Artan, driving a car, conducted a vehicular • May 23, 2014, Isla Vista, California. Elliot The second edition of Inspire, in October attack and mass stabbing at Ohio State Rogers stabbed, shot, and ultimately ran 2010, included an article titled The Ultimate University Watts Hall courtyard, injuring down people with his vehicle in an attack Mowing Machine about using a vehicle as 13 people. He was shot and killed by a combining firearms, edged weapons and a weapon to “… mow down the enemies first responding OSU police officer. Artan a motor vehicle. Rogers first stabbed of Allah.” It also states, “If you have access was inspired by terrorist propaganda from three people, then shot four others, and to firearms, carry them with you so that ISIL and radical Muslim Cleric, Anwar al- continued his attack by both shooting you may use them to finish off your work Awlaki. ISIL released a statement claiming people while driving and running them if your vehicle gets grounded during the responsibility for the attack, though there down. He killed six and injured many attack.” The article itself may have been is no evidence of direct contact between others. based on Anwar al-Awiaki’s knowledge of the group and Artan. • Sept.22, 2008, Jerusalem, Israel. Qassem several previous incidents by individuals • July 14, 2016, Nice, France. 31-year-old Mughrabi, a Palestinian member of Hamas, who did not have ready access to firearms Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was inspired drove a BMW saloon car into a group of or explosives. to utilize a large rented truck to conduct civilians and off-duty soldiers in a terrorist one of the most severe active killing ramming attack, injuring 19. Following in the footsteps of its parent attacks in history. Bouhlel drove the Al-Qaida, ISIL has also proven effective in • July 2, 2008, Jerusalem, Israel. Hussam truck into crowds of people who were Taysir Duwait (aka Hussam Duwiyat and their use of the internet and social media. celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, ISIL main messages have been to join the Hossam Dawyyat) attacked several cars killing at least 84 adults and children on in a terrorist vehicle ramming using a battle in Iraq and Syria, or kill westerners the Nice seafront. in the home country and encouraged “lone front-end loader, killing three people and wolf” operations. • Dec. 22, 2015, Lakeisha Holloway wounding at least thirty before being shot intentionally drove her car repeatedly to death. In September 2016, ISIL began internet onto the sidewalk on the Las Vegas strip, • Aug. 30, 2006, San Francisco, California. publishing of Rumiyah Magazine, the online killing one person and injuring 37 others. An individual from Afghanistan, named version of ISIL’s glossy magazine Dabiq and • Oct. 24, 2015, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Omeed Aziz Popal, killed one person and a mirror of Al-Qaida’s Inspire. However, Adacia Chambers intentionally crashed injured 18 in a vehicle attack, saying to where Inspire provided guidance and her car into a crowd at Oklahoma State’s police that “everyone needs to be killed.” motivation, Rumiyah Issue No. 3 builds Homecoming parade, killing four and upon lessons learned from recent attacks • March 3, 2006, Chapel Hill, North injuring dozens more. Chambers has a Carolina. A radicalized Iranian-American and provides more specific tactical details history of mental illness. for vehicular attack planning and execution. named Reza Taheri-azar drove a rented • Dec. 22, 2014, Nantes, France. Sébastien silver 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Although not always related to terrorism, Sarron ran over ten pedestrians in a through a common courtyard area, to

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intentionally hit people on the campus • Cause civil or economic disturbance ATTACK SCENARIOS of the University of North Carolina at • Take hostages or kill people Chapel Hill. Taheri-azar claimed that Complicated attacks can be planned with he was avenging the death of Muslims On Dec. 28, 2016, following the Berlin increased time and assets. However, the more worldwide while attempting to punish the attack, the National Counterterrorism complicated the planning is, then the greater United States government. Nine people Center (NCTC) reported a significant the chance of discovery and interdiction. were injured during Taheri-azar’s attack. shift in terrorist tactics that requires the Large vehicles and trucks have always been FBI, DHS and other agencies to locate the a concern especially from the standpoint • June 4, 2004, Granby, Colorado. Marvin mobile and cyber/internet smart “lone of vehicle bombs. A decade ago, the police Heemeyer conducted a “kill-dozer” attack wolf” individual attacker, and not necessarily departments discussed a terrorism scenario in Colorado, with a bulldozer hardened detect a complex plot. in which a fuel truck would be used in an with steel plates to protect Heemeyer attack. A typical fuel tanker carries at least while he destroyed everything in his path. The steady rise in the number of lone actor 9,000 gallons of gasoline, and they make up • March 30, 2002, Lyon, France. A group of operations is a trend which coincides with 90% of hazardous materials on roads. During masked men rammed two cars through the deepening and broadening of the digital a study for Manetta Transportation Institute, the courtyard gates, then rammed one of revolution as well as the encouragement of these were found to be the deadliest the cars into the prayer hall of a synagogue such operations by terrorist groups because threat among dangerous cargoes. Modern in the neighborhood of Duchere, before intensified [counterterrorism] operations have vehicular attacks are more asymmetric and setting the vehicles afire, causing severe disrupted their ability to launch larger plots scalable to the individual “lone wolf.” damage to the synagogue. ... Lone actors now have greater capability to create and broadcast material than a decade As with traditional violent crime, vehicular VEHICLE ATTACK PLANNING, ago, while violent extremists can contact and attacks can be classified by major profiles of TACTICS, TECHNIQUES interact with potential recruits with greater ease. “organized” and “disorganized” that provide AND PLANNING indicators of the nature of the individual(s) In 2010, following the Inspire article, involved and extent of the support the Federal Bureau of Investigation Use of a vehicle to run down people is not dissimilar structure. from an active shooter attack in intent and could (FBI) and Department of Homeland Organized Security (DHS) advised that: easily kill or injure as many people as possible until stopped. Therefore, using a motor vehicle would • Organized attacks are typically Terrorists overseas have suggested well-planned events conducting vehicle ramming attacks make planning an attack much easier and it would — using modified or unmodified offer a wide variety of target-rich environments. The • Conducted by an Operational Cell vehicles — against crowds, buildings, or Individual more sophisticated in and other vehicles. Such attacks could selection of the weapon is varied, scalable and easily their approach. Members are normally be used to target locations where large mastered. It is only left to the terrorist’s imagination well trained. numbers of people congregate, including and dedication to accomplish. • Motivation/radicalization is well sporting events, entertainment venues, developed over time within a mutual or shopping centers. Vehicle ramming offers support group/ mechanism terrorists with limited access to explosives The analysis identifies a shift in extremist or weapons an opportunity to conduct a violence to “small autonomous cells” and • Security is paramount, due to the scope Homeland attack with minimal prior training or “individual terrorism. Increasingly, thanks in of planning and coordination involved experience. part to the digital revolution, they can rely • Requires communications, logistics and on what Syrian terrorist Abu Musab al-Suri detail coordination ISO 28001:2007, Security Management called “individual terrorism” and published Systems for the Supply Chain alludes to this in a training guide titled A Call to Global • Study target area, route reconnaissance, in a supply chain threat scenario. The threat Islamic Resistance. timing, possible rehearsal will intrude and/or take control of an asset • Selection of vehicle(s) must be made (including conveyances) within the supply Indicators show that with ISIL losing territory for reasons that are feasible to avoid chain. Application examples include: and al-Qaida increasingly decentralized, suspicion individuals and small autonomous cells may • Damage or destroy the supply chain asset increasingly take the initiative in both the • Acquisition of vehicle(s) requires proper murderous and messaging dimensions of timing to avoid early discovery and may • Damage or destroy an outside target violent extremism. be stolen or carjacked immediately prior using the supply chain asset or goods

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to an attack their individual jihad.” Based on attacks Ford pickup was included. Larger heavy • Modification of vehicle(s) may be required, conducted since the 2010 Inspire article, vehicles or vehicles that have undergone depending on the target area and route, ISIL’s Rumiyah Magazine Issue No.3 provides modifications would increase casualties and and should be accomplished in a manner more specific tactical guidance for vehicular make it more difficult for law enforcement to avoid early discovery. This may require attacks in a section titled Just Terror Tactics. to stop an attack. Inspire advises: The article provides details for suggested additional logistical planning for a garage • Raise the level of the blades as high as the or maintenance facility with equipment tactics by Jihadist in the United States, who are referred to as “stationed behind enemy headlights to make the blades strike your • Additional equipment/weapons, such as lines.” Taken together, Inspire and Rumiyah targets at the torso level or higher body armor and firearms are desired and provide an effective and feasible operational • Pick your location and timing carefully. Go for may be available, but must be acquired in concept for vehicular terrorism. the most crowed locations. Narrower spots a manner to avoid suspicion are better because it gives less chance for • Legacy material (written or recorded) OBJECTIVE AND the people to run away. Avoid locations where announcing one’s allegiance is produced TARGET SELECTION other vehicles may intercept you at a time just prior to attack to avoid The guidance emphasizes the importance • To achieve maximum carnage, you need to early discovery of defining the objective. An attack may pick up as much speed as you can while • Early discovery is possible and will result be to achieve a large kill count; disrupting still retaining good control of your vehicle in sufficient warning and interdiction, even the financial stability of a specific nation; or to maximize your inertia and can strike as with individual “lone wolf” attacks simply be aimed at “terrorizing the enemies many people as possible in your first run Disorganized or Impulse of Allah and depriving them of a peaceful • Keep in mind that as soon as people realize sleep.” what you are up to, they would scatter and • Disorganized attacks are typically run in every direction looking for cover. They unplanned events and impulsive in nature When deciding on the target, attention will be given to the target’s accessibility by the would look for areas where the vehicle cannot • Conducted by an Individual “lone wolf” vehicle where the target would be on a road reach them. Therefore, it is important to study who may not have a previous record of that offers the ability to accelerate to a high your path of operation beforehand arrest or trouble making speed and allows for inflicting maximum • The ideal location is a place where there are • Psychologically or event triggered by damage on those in the vehicle’s path. It is a maximum number of pedestrians and the impulse driven core beliefs of motivation/ not important to target gatherings restricted least number of vehicles. In fact, if you can get radicalization to government or military personnel only. through to “pedestrian only” locations that Civilian (and low-security) parades and exist in some downtown (city center) areas, • Little or no planning; related to being gatherings are considered more devastating that would be fabulous. There are some psychologically or event triggered by to the West, especially the United States. places that are closed for vehicles at certain impulse times due to the swarms of people • Hasty acquisition of vehicle (stolen or In general, applicable targets are any outdoor attraction that draws large crowds: • If you have access to arms, carry them with carjacked), impulse driven you so that you may use them to finish your • Known target area, route, timing • Large outdoor conventions and work if your vehicle gets grounded during the attack • Possible additional equipment/weapons, celebrations based on known availability • Pedestrian-congested streets (High/Main • After such an attack, we believe it would be very difficult to get away safely and • Possible legacy material (written or streets) without being recognized. Hence, it should be recorded) • Outdoor markets considered a martyrdom operation. • No warning • Festivals • If Allah guides your heart to such a great • Hard to stop, ultimately relies on first • Parades operation, please leave behind a note. Tell the responder direct action world why you did it • Political rallies AQAP’s Inspire Magazine enabled by the Vehicle Selection mass distribution of the internet, and As indicated by the Inspire article remains an effective groundwork for Islamic encourages use of heavy-duty four- Acquiring a vehicle is a simple task regardless propaganda, terrorist planning, recruitment wheel-drive pickup trucks, modified with of one’s location. One may be purchased, and motivation with a new focus on steel blades welded on front, designed to rented, stolen or carjacked en-route to the the “lone wolf” as an asset “to wage sever body parts. A photo of a heavy-duty target area. Depending on the region in

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the United States, the FBI estimates that a pounds). Larger vehicles require greater as posts, signs, barriers, humps, bus stops, vehicle is stolen every 43.7 to 46 seconds vetting of the driver and a commercial dumpsters, etc. which is important for with 25 percent of the vehicles being trucks. license. If renting, individuals following sidewalk-mounted attacks, keeping in Rumiyah’s guidelines would likely use a mind that more obstacles might be set However, the type of vehicle and its Class 6 vehicle or smaller. However, an up on the day of a targeted event, and structural and technical specifications are attacker could simply commandeer a doing the surveillance in an inconspicuous extremely important factors for ensuring vehicle, as done in Berlin manner, especially if one suspects being the success of the attack. Observing previous monitored by an intelligence apparatus vehicle attacks, smaller vehicles (even light Some vehicles that ideally satisfy these pickup trucks) are considered incapable of requirements, however may require • If accessible, a secondary weapon will be a high number of casualties. Similarly, off- moderate operating experience, include: attained road vehicles (SUVs and small four-wheel • Heavy duty pickups, such as a Ford F-350 To further casualties, it is imperative that drive vehicles) lack the necessary attributes or Dodge Ram the driver does not exit his vehicle during required for causing maximum casualties the attack. Rather, he should continue because smaller vehicles lack the weight • Single Unit Trucks, such as U-Haul or crushing people until the vehicle cannot and wheel span required for crushing many Ryder rental trucks proceed further. At this stage, the driver victims. Rather, the type of vehicle most • Certain commonly found special purpose may exit the vehicle and finish his operation appropriate for such an operation is a large trucks (Tow Trucks, Tractor Rigs, Light using a secondary weapon, such as a gun or load-bearing truck. Tankers) a knife. Depending on what is obtained, the kill count can be maximized and the level Terrorists view the ideal vehicle • Buses (public, commercial, school) of of terror resulting from the attack can be to generally be: length like Single Unit Trucks raised. The driver can also remain in the Vehicles that terrorists vehicle targeting pedestrians, the emergency • Load-bearing truck generally avoid include: first responders or security forces who • Large-in-size, keeping in mind its arrive until he is martyred. controllability • Small cars, including larger SUVs Rumiyah advises that an appropriate way • Reasonably fast in speed or rate of • Slower vehicles that cannot exceed 60 mph (90 kph) should be determined for announcing acceleration (Note: Many European one’s allegiance to the “Khalifah of the countries pre-restrict larger vehicles to • Load-bearing trucks with load Muslims and the goal of making Allah’s word specified speeds) compartments that are not fixed to the supreme,” so that the motive of the attack • Heavy-in-weight, assuring the destruction cabin, which may cause loss of control is acknowledged. An example of such would of whatever it hits and subsequent jack-knifing, especially if be simply writing on dozens of sheets of driven erratically paper “The Islamic State will remain!” or “I • Double-wheeled, giving victims less of a chance to escape being crushed by the • Load-bearing trucks with excessively am a soldier of the Islamic State!” prior, and vehicle’s tires elongated trailer compartments, which launching them from the vehicle’s window can cause the driver trouble as he seeks during the execution of the attack. • Possessing a slightly raised chassis (the to maneuver under frame of the vehicle) and bumper, VEHICLE DYNAMICS which allow for the mounting of sidewalks PLANNING AND PREPARATION and breeching of barriers if needed The driving characteristics and dynamics As possible and based on individual of appropriate vehicles will vary with • If accessible, with a metal outer frame experience, planning will be with a military type and weight. The center of gravity will which are usually found in older cars, as mindset, possibly based on previous military be related to the load capacity for each the stronger outer frame allows for more training. Selection of driver(s) may be based vehicle and will determine the speed and damage to be caused when the vehicle is on technical ability, however the determining maneuverability. These are vulnerabilities slammed into crowds, contrary to newer factor is assessed individual motivation that may be exploited in countering an cars that are usually made of plastics and (radicalization.) Preparations will include: active vehicular attack. other weaker materials • In the United States, the largest truck a • Assessing the vehicle for roadworthiness Generally, trucks and other linear vehicles person without a commercial driver’s • Filling the vehicle with enough fuel (buses) have an increased turning radius license can rent is a Class 6 vehicle, which beyond that of cars and SUVs. The increased • Mapping out the route of the attack can weigh up to 11,800 kilograms (26,000 radius requires the vehicle to swing wide • Surveying the route for obstacles, such around corners and obstacles. To do so,

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Copyright 2017 G4S North America. All rights reserved. Copyright 2017 G4S North America. All rights reserved. Vehicular Terrorism: The Threat Behind the Wheel Corporate Risk Services they must reduce speed to avoid exceeding operation and maneuverability even a typical larger school bus outer front the center of gravity and overturning • 28-40 ft. long, 7.8-8.5 ft. wide wheel, outer front body, and inner rear or lose driving control. It is at this point wheel radii are smaller than the Single Unit that pedestrians may escape the path; • Top Speed approx. 97 mph (156 kph) Truck radii. Test templates show that the interdiction vehicles may move into the • Wheelbase: Up to 255-300 inches school bus can make a much smaller turn path and assault personnel may engage the than the Single Unit Truck, even though the driver with gunfire. • Turning Radius: 36-42 feet school bus may be larger than the Single • Although overall bus dimensions may be Unit Truck. Heavy Duty Pickup like a Single Unit Truck, the engineering is significantly different in the vehicle Additionally, the larger school bus outer • Turbodiesel V8 generates immense power dynamics front wheel and outer front body radii are and torque smaller than the typical public • Stronger frame and suspension bus radii. The inner rear wheel enable increased payload and radius of the school bus is tow ratings larger than that of the public bus. During the transition • Aluminum body reduces portions of the turn, the public overall weight and improves bus and larger school bus have efficiency very different paths. The public • Substantially larger frame rails bus spirals slowly into the turn, and cross members made of whereas the larger school bus 95% high-strength steel more quickly attains a circular path. The school bus has a • 19.3-22.25 ft. long, 6.6-.0 ft. wide shorter overall length than the public bus and the overall turn • Top Speed approx. 97 mph is much smaller. (156 kph) • Wheelbase: 155-166 inches Tractor Truck Rig • Turning Radius: 23.8-29.8 feet • Diesel V8 generates immense power and torque Single Unit Truck • Strong frame and • Gas or Diesel V8 generates suspension with a 6x2 axle immense power and torque configuration for easier • Strong frame and suspension operation and maneuverability with 4x2 or 6x2 axle • Top Speed approx. 95 configuration for easier mph (152 kph) operation and maneuvering • Wheelbase: Approx. 150- • 22-36 ft. long, 7.8 ft. wide 258 inches • Top Speed approx. 97 mph • Turning Radius: 29-35 (156 kph) feet • Wheelbase: 240-250 inches Tow Truck • Turning Radius: 36-42 feet • Light to medium towing Buses (small public/ vehicle commercial or school) • Curb clearance will vary between public • Diesel V8 generates immense power and and school buses which will affect vehicle Gas or Diesel V8 generates immense torque • dynamics and may impact route selection power and torque • Strong frame and suspension with a 4x2 It is understandable that a small school bus Strong frame and suspension with a or 6x2 axle configuration • will have a lesser turning radius. However, 4x2 or 6x2 axel configuration for easier • Top Speed approx. 97 mph (156 kph)

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• Wheelbase: Approx. 165-200 inches the purchase, paying in cash, or lack of fencing may act as a slowing mechanism, • Turning Radius: 28.3-43.5 feet familiarity with the vehicle’s operations. but cannot be expected to stop a vehicular attack. If this is all that is available, then it Light Tanker (<3500 US gal) • Commercial motor vehicles or heavy equipment being operated erratically, at should be used. • Diesel V8 generates immense power and unusual times, or in unusual locations, torque There are two essential categories of AVB particularly in heavy pedestrian areas. systems: stationary and operable. • Strong frame and suspension with a 4x2 • Attempts to infiltrate closed areas where or 6x2 axle configuration traffic usually moves, but where crowds • Stationary barriers are equivalent but • Top Speed approx. 95 mph (152 kph) are gathered, such as for street festivals not identical to “fixed barriers” as or farmers’ markets. defined in FEMA 430 and are attached to • Wheelbase: Approx. 280-350 inches the ground or base diaphragms to block • A vehicle operator’s apparent • Turning Radius: 28.3-43.5 feet vehicle entry. These barriers shall not unfamiliarity with commercial motor move or deform unless within allowable COMMON SECURITY MEASURES vehicle or heavy equipment operation magnitude under attack. (unable to back up; trouble with shifting; Stopping vehicular attacks, especially by poor lane tracking; unfamiliarity with • Operable barriers are not anchored a truck or bus, is not easy. In the wake of basic vehicle mechanics such as air brake and can be moved as necessary for the December 2016 attack in Germany, operations, slack adjusters, fifth wheel authorized vehicle access. Operable the director of the Institute for Crisis operations, Jake brakes, engine type, or barriers are beam barricades or Prevention (IFUS) in Essen, Germany, stated: location of fire extinguishers and other wedge barriers. Typically, hydraulic or emergency equipment). electrical power equipment is needed to “If a radicalized fanatic decides to use a reposition an operable barrier, making truck as a weapon, you don’t stand a chance, Passive Measures its entire design and construction (lift unless you know about him and his plans Vehicles points) more complicated than that of in advance and arrest him before he can stationary barriers. act. It’s impossible to check all vehicles in Large vehicles can be used in ways to the EU [European Union] or to seal off all Operable barriers require considerable create road closures into the parade route/ Christmas markets to protect them from time for construction, are expensive event area. This is a very flexible solution, any danger. You’d have to close them for that. and require special maintenance. These very fast to deploy, and can be redeployed/ An attack like this one cannot be prevented characteristics make operable barriers moved at very short notice. They can with 100 percent certainty.” unfeasible for many activities, periodic be easily moved to permit authorized events and along parade routes; however, Indicators vehicular and/or emergency access. Large they may be used when integrated with vehicles such as garbage trucks, sand, and movable and stationary barriers and Although a single indicator may not be construction vehicles may be used for blocking vehicles for those events. suspicious, one or more may indicate a this purpose. Lawful positioning of heavy vehicular attack is being planned. A vehicle equipment, such as large generators, skips, The two most effective operable barriers ramming attack can be conducted with cherry pickers and forklifts at temporary against vehicular ramming attacks are little to no warning. Examples of potential events will offer protection and slow down wedges and bollards. indicators are: a momentum vehicle. They may be configured in various heights, • Unusual modifications to commercial Barriers lengths and combined in patterns for motor vehicles, heavy equipment, optimum protection within a specific area. passenger cars, and sports utility vehicles The crash performance of barriers depends They are most appropriate for traffic (SUVs), such as homemade attempts to on the type of vehicle, speed, and other control, defense of facilities and protection reinforce the front of the vehicle with variables. Understanding these variables of fixed areas of constant pedestrian traffic metal plates. enables agencies to select the most and congregation, such as stadiums, parks appropriate type of barrier to address and town squares which may be routinely • The purchase, rental, or theft of large specific concerns. There may be several used for large public events. or heavy-duty vehicles or equipment, privately held anti-vehicle barrier (AVB) such as SUVs, trucks, or commercial systems available at a cost or possibly Jersey barriers motor vehicles, if accompanied by typical donated for short term public service. indicators such as nervousness during Use of pedestrian barriers or construction Jersey barriers (K-Rails) are the most

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Copyright 2017 G4S North America. All rights reserved. Copyright 2017 G4S North America. All rights reserved. Vehicular Terrorism: The Threat Behind the Wheel Corporate Risk Services common AVB for rapid or temporary 42 inches. The U.S. military nicknamed the security and general vehicular traffic devices “Qaddafi Blocks” after truck bomb control. They were originally developed by attacks in Beirut in 1983 resulted in more the New Jersey State Highway Department widespread use in military installations. to divide highway lanes. A concrete Jersey barrier stands 2.6 to 3.5 feet tall with the These standard barriers begin with a original design intent of minimizing damage 3-inch vertical face at the pavement level, and reducing the likelihood of vehicles then break to a sloped face, changing to a crossing into oncoming lanes in the event of nearly vertical face at the top of the barrier. a collision. There have been variations from The overall height is at least 32 inches the original shape including the constant above the pavement. Jersey barriers are the slope barrier, the F-shape barrier, and the original and most widely used safety shape California K-rail. • Integrate easily into continuous walls or concrete barriers. combine with other types of barriers like The easy construction, mobility, and efficiency steel fencing The only difference between Jersey barriers of the Jersey barrier make it applicable for • Install in various flexible patterns for and F-shape barriers is that the distance anti-terrorism security. U.S. military forces temporary or permanent protection from the ground to the slope breakpoint is use them extensively in Iraq to fortify purposes 13 inches in Jersey barriers, versus 10 inches roadblocks and public infrastructure with for F-shape barriers. In high-speed impacts, taller variants. In addition, Jersey barriers Disadvantages of the Jersey barriers are there is a greater likelihood that a small car are used domestically as perimeter security mainly related to the original design purpose: will be rolled by a Jersey barrier than by an barriers since the Oklahoma City bombing to deflect the crashing vehicle rather F-shape barrier. The F-shape barrier was and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to than completely damage or totally stop a specifically engineered to limit the potential enforce standoff distances from federal vehicle’s forward movement. In defense for small cars to rollover upon impact. The buildings and monuments such as the against terrorist attacks, Jersey barriers F-shape barrier begins with a 3-inch vertical Washington Monument in Washington, DC, normally cannot qualify for high ratings (as face at the pavement level, then breaks to the Willis Tower in Chicago and the Library the DoS K12) if directly impacted by heavy a sloped face that rises to a height of 10 Tower in downtown Los Angeles. trucks due to: inches, before changing to a nearly vertical face at the top of the barrier. Advantages of the Jersey barriers are their • Insufficient barrier height ability to: • Relatively weak anchorage to ground Because the Jersey-shape design requires very little modification to become an • Stop the impacting vehicle quickly with a • Sloped front lower portion causes lifting F-shape design, asphalt resurfacing can large mass of concrete of the truck bed convert the Jersey-shape barrier into a Shape barriers, such as Jersey barriers more F-shape-like barrier that is safer for (K-Rails) and F-shape barriers are designed lighter cars. However, these increased layers to mitigate the energy of crash impacts to of asphalt also reduce the working height of the driver, and will not necessarily stop a the barrier which reduces its effectiveness speeding vehicle. They minimize vehicle damage in cases of incidental contact while still preventing the crossover case of a head-on collision and are designed to redirect, slow, or stop a vehicle from causing a more severe crash. F-shape barriers get their name from the research study that analyzed the performance of • Deflect vehicle collisions at angular barrier design parameters, where barrier impact configurations were labeled A through F, and F was the best-performing design. • Dissipate kinetic energy by the lifting vehicle’s front and engaging its Crashworthy concrete barriers come in a undercarriage variety of shapes and heights that affect crash performance. The most common are 32-

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for heavier vehicles. between law enforcement, businesses, and general area coverage by law enforcement private security should be conducted for with trained snipers. Large caliber weapons, Newer versions are impact resistant the monitoring and handling of imagery such as .50 BMG rifles, should be used hollow polyethylene barriers developed for prior to and during the actual event. Prior for attack vehicle engagement. After an short-term applications where portability event surveillance is important to identify attack vehicle is stopped, security forces is important. These plastic barriers are and assess indicators of surveillance, route should plan for a secondary attack by the normally filled with water after placement to reconnaissance, and rehearsal by threats. driver if he is not dead using firearms, provide a moderate level of crash protection. Following a security incident, rapid and edged weapon or explosives to maximize They are not designed to deflect vehicles, so proper review and handling of all imagery casualties. Further, a secondary attack could vehicles may penetrate the barriers. These will be critical to suspect identification and be planned especially if committed by an barriers can also be filled with soil, spill, or case management. operational cell. concrete to produce a heavier barrier with greater crash protection, at the cost of Direct Action SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS reduced portability. Vehicular attacks are almost impossible The shape of terrorism has changed since Staggered placement of multiple Jersey to stop once they are initiated. Security Sept. 11, 2001. Al-Qaida and ISIL have personnel should adapted tactics from necessity and have plan for stopping the tapped into a virtual unlimited talent attacker. Security pool for recruiting jihadists. Not only can forces and law they recruit fighters for the conflict areas enforcement should of the Middle East and North Africa, but review their existing also expand globally to bring the war to training, tactics, formerly denied regions and conduct and procedures propaganda operations for psychological for a direct-action warfare. Within the context of global response to an Islamic radicalism, terrorism is now ongoing attack of becoming more individual in nature. this nature. Planning scenarios should The new paradigm is one with few include explosive boundaries, where small cells can ordinance disposal, form wherever resources permit and barriers at close distances in an obstacle vehicle mounting from the side and above, circumstances allow. Technology permits wall will force reduced speed and increase breaching and assault of a linear target, active militants to become individual terror non-penetration, however will require a support fire, and dynamic command and promoters who provide a motivational greater footprint than what may be available. control. The driver must be considered path to terror and instructions to others When deployed staggered at wide distances mission-focused and psychologically in tradecraft and tactics. Additionally, some or in “zig-zag” they force vehicles into a prepared to die. Facing such an attacker, militants have been allowed migration into “serpentine” pattern that force vehicles into security forces must be psychologically Western societies for politically naïve and 45-90 degree turns and will slow vehicular prepared to immediately engage with humanitarian reasons without means to traffic. A “chicane” of 90-180-degree S-turns deadly force. Additionally, the vehicle may investigate and assess their backgrounds. will further slow vehicles. continue to travel into pedestrians after The modern terrorist is, therefore, hard the driver is killed or incapacitated. to detect, much like the truck terrorists in Active Measures Nice and Berlin in July and December 2016. Planning should integrate AVB obstacles He will hide in a closed community, use Technical Surveillance along vehicle approach routes with personal resources, strike in an unexpected sufficient numbers of reinforced barriers way and then may try to disappear into Integrated with any AVB plan should be and large vehicles. Additional vehicles can be society, but will be radicalized and motivated surveillance of the event area by CCTV and strategically prepositioned to further block to the extent that he will be willing, if not security video from commercial, public and routes that will channel an attacking vehicle desire, to die in martyrdom. This potentially law enforcement sources. Gaps in coverage away from the crowd and into a kill zone puts every citizen on the frontlines of a war should be identified well in advance to where the vehicle and driver can be engaged that has come to them. acquire additional technical assets and plan by law enforcement. Positions should be other mitigating actions. Coordination identified for over-watch of key routes and To protect against this new paradigm the

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Copyright 2017 G4S North America. All rights reserved. Copyright 2017 G4S North America. All rights reserved. Vehicular Terrorism: The Threat Behind the Wheel Corporate Risk Services following basic security measures are • Conduct risk assessments and select pre- • Provide emergency medical care, if recommended for consideration: determined lowest threat routes possible

• Conduct background checks and social • Geo-fence all pre-planned routes to media checks of all drivers and employees provide alerts at the monitoring center who have access to heavy vehicles whenever a vehicle varies from its designated route • The public must have a basic understanding of the psychological mindset of a dedicated • Vehicles should be equipped with attacker. Especially with radical Islam, the concealed GPS tracking equipment. attacker is prepared for or looks forward • Vehicles should be equipped with a duress to dying signaling device • Reassess the daily work environment • There should be a redundant policy and based on the geographic location and plan such as GPS, communications, and developing events. See something, say capability for the monitoring center to something/report it communicate with a driver • Because a vehicle attack can be conducted • The GPS/Security monitoring center at any time, with almost any readily should have the capability to remotely available and public accessible vehicle, activate disabling equipment businesses and the public at large should • Monitor truck parking areas, empty maintain situational awareness, especially trucks/trailers to ensure that the vehicles observing the movement of trucks and cannot be misappropriated busses. Any sudden deviation of schedule or route should be considered suspicious • Companies using heavy-duty vehicles and/or trucks, including rental companies, • Businesses should review emergency and should consider applying the following security plans. Many businesses operate security standards, Transported vehicle fleets as part of their core business Asset Protection Association (TAPA) to supply and deliver goods. Given the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) terrorist attacks in Nice and Berlin, the Customers Trade-Partnership Against security of vehicles of all sizes and the Terrorism (C-PAT) and ISO 28000 — safety of the vehicle operators must be standards for transportation conveyances considered to their fleet with this threat in mind • Businesses should coordinate information If present during sharing and local safety/security measures a vehicular attack with Public Safety agencies to prepare for events and guard against criminal and • Give immediate warning to surrounding suspicious activity pedestrians and notify law enforcement at • Businesses should verify the identity of first opportunity persons driving company vehicles and • Immediately move out of the line of their documents and use E-verify where movement. Run at a right angle away from appropriate. Additionally, businesses the vehicle and try to put objects such should include situational awareness as a as buildings, trees, lampposts, fire hydrants component of company safety orientation and garbage bins between yourself and with periodic updates to all drivers the attacker • Drivers should park vehicles in secure • Do not run with the crowd. Attacking well-lighted areas; off the street where vehicles intend to target large groups possible, in an authorized truck park. Vehicles and their loads should be • Seek hardened shelter until “all clear” is secured when left unattended. The cab announced. Remember that the attacking should be secured always with valuables driver may exit a disabled vehicle and and documents out of sight attack on foot with a weapon

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