DOMESTIC TERRORISM In the Post 9/11 Era

Members of our Evidence Response Team set up their crime scene equipment after the June 10 shootings at the Holocaust Museum in D.C. Nothing before or since has come close to the terror attacks of 9/11 in terms of lives lost, scope, and impact. And we know that al Qaeda led and inspired operatives still seek to strike our homeland—including with weapons of mass destruction. Which is why globally-fueled terrorism continues to occupy much of our time and attention these days.

And yet, as we were reminded by shootings in Kansas, Arkansas, and the nation’s capital over just 11 days this spring, the threat of domestic terror—Americans attacking Americans based on U.S.-based extremist ideologies—is alive and well.

Today’s domestic terror threats run the gamut, from hate-filled white supremacists…to highly destructive eco-terrorists…to violence-prone anti-government extremists…to radical separatist groups. Podcast: Inside the FBI Hear about changes in our counterterrorism operations since 9/11.One particularly insidious concern that touches all forms of domestic extremism is the lone offender—a single individual driven to hateful attacks based on a particular set of beliefs without a larger group’s knowledge or support. In some cases, these lone offenders may have tried to join a group but were kicked out for being too radical or simply left the group because they felt it wasn’t extreme or violent enough. We believe most domestic attacks are carried out by lone offenders to promote their own grievances and agendas.

Combating Domestic Terrorism: Our Role The FBI is the lead domestic terrorism agency in the U.S., working to identify and prevent domestic terrorism acts before they occur and investigate them when they do take place. We’re also the lead federal agency in responding to a domestic terrorism crisis situation, functioning as the on-scene manager for the U.S. government. During our investigations, we get a great deal of investigative support from our state, local, and federal partners. An example of this collaboration is the recent Nevada Joint Terrorism Task Force case that resulted in the arrest of four members of an anti-government group on federal money laundering, tax evasion, and weapons charges. Details

Sometimes, cases are prosecuted at the local level because the crime isn’t a violation of federal law. In those instances, we support our partners any way we can—sharing intelligence, offering forensic assistance, conducting behavioral analysis, etc.

As with all forms of extremism, preventing homegrown attacks before they are hatched is our overriding goal. It’s an especially tall order given the civil liberties we all enjoy as American citizens, including the right to free speech. Hate and anger are not crimes; neither are hard-line and poisonous ideologies. It’s only when actions by groups or individuals cross the line into threats, the actual use of force or violence, or other law-breaking activities that we can investigate. That goes for lone offenders, whose high degrees of autonomy make them difficult to stop before they strike.

As a result, we’re not shy about applying our full suite of anti-terror tools and capabilities to threats of homegrown terrorism. That includes our time-tested investigative techniques such as the use of surveillance and informants as well as the new intelligence skills and information-sharing channels we’ve cultivated since 9/11.

... Our 106 Joint Terrorism Task Forces around the nation bring together our law enforcement and intelligence partners into a single team dedicated to addressing terror threats of all kinds.

... Beyond these task forces, we talk constantly with our local, state, and federal partners—those who have a finger on the pulse of their communities and can tell us about the individuals or groups on their radar.

On April 21, fugitive Daniel San Diego became the first alleged domestic terrorist added to the Most Wanted Terrorist list. Story | Video ... We’re also beginning an extensive study on identified lone offenders to come up with indicators and behavior predictors that investigators can use to assess suspects.

Last year on this website, we talked about animal rights extremists and eco-terrorists and our intelligence-driven approaches to stopping them. In the coming months, we’ll spotlight other homegrown terror groups to raise awareness on who they are and the threats they pose.

You can help. Be alert to potential signs of domestic terror plots and planning and contact us immediately with any information or leads.

Read about some of our domestic terrorism cases past and present: - Daniel San Diego - Demetrius Van Crocker - Gale Nettles - Operation Backfire - Oklahoma City bombing - The Unabomber - Eric Rudolph: Part 1 | Part 2 - Matthew Hale

http://www.citizencorps.gov

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http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1252431401608.shtm

Secretary Napolitano and Girl Scouts of the USA Announce New Preparedness Patch

Release Date: September 8, 2009
For Immediate Release
O
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Kathy Cloninger today unveiled a Girl Scout preparedness patch—designed to engage Girl Scouts and their families in personal preparedness for all emergencies—and announced a new affiliation between DHS Citizen Corps and the Girl Scouts to advance community preparedness nationwide.

“This new preparedness patch will increase citizen preparedness and enhance our country’s readiness for disasters,” said Secretary Napolitano. “As a former Girl Scout, I know the ‘Be Prepared’ motto well—and I look forward to working with the Girl Scouts to spread the preparedness message to all of our nation’s citizens.”

“Girl Scouts are thrilled to be partnering with the Department of Homeland Security to encourage girls to learn what to do in case of emergency,” said Kathy Cloninger. “Citizen Corps is a terrific program—one that provides an opportunity for our girls to lead the way in ensuring that their families and their communities are prepared for emergencies.”

The preparedness patch program, developed by the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides critical emergency preparedness information and activities for all levels of Girl Scouts.

The steps and activities required to receive the patch include identifying and preparing for potential emergencies; learning about local alerts and warning systems; and engaging in community service.

In addition to collaborating on the new patch, Secretary Napolitano and Ms. Cloninger also signed an agreement formalizing an affiliation between Citizen Corps and the Girl Scouts that creates a partnership to motivate young women to become community leaders in emergency management and response fields and raises public awareness about personal preparedness, training and community service opportunities.

The announcements took place at Scotchtown Hills Elementary School in Laurel, Md., where Secretary Napolitano participated in President Obama’s My Education, My Future initiative by visiting students and listening to the President’s remarks encouraging them to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning.
Secretary Napolitano, Ms. Cloninger and City of Laurel Mayor Craig Moe also participated in preparedness training activities with students highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
The announcements are part of September’s National Preparedness Month, during which Secretary Napolitano is encouraging citizens around the country to focus on becoming better prepared for and more resilient in the face of emergencies of all kinds.

DHS Citizen Corps, part of FEMA’s Community Preparedness Division, is a community-based initiative to bring government and community leaders together to involve citizens and organizations in all-hazards emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery.
The Girl Scouts of the USA, chartered by Congress in 1950, is a worldwide organization dedicated solely to girls to build character and skills for success in the real world in an accepting and nurturing environment.
For more information about Citizen Corps, visit www.citizencorps.gov. To learn more about the Girl Scouts, visit www.girlscouts.org.

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This page was last reviewed/modified on September 8, 2009.

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About Citizen Corps
We all have a role in hometown security.
Citizen Corps is FEMA’s grassroots strategy to bring together government and community leaders to involve citizens in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience.
Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared; to get training in first aid and emergency skills; and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.
There are currently 2,403 Councils which serve 225,985,904 people or 79%

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http://www.citizencorps.gov/about.shtm

About Citizen Corps

Following the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001, state and local government officials have increased opportunities for citizens to become an integral part of protecting the homeland and supporting the local first responders. Officials agree that the formula for ensuring a more secure and safer homeland consists of preparedness, training, and citizen involvement in supporting first responders. In January 2002, the President of the United States launched Citizen Corps, to capture the spirit of service that emerged throughout our communities following the terrorist attacks.

Citizen Corps was created to help coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds.

Citizen Corps programs build on the successful efforts that are in place in many communities around the country to prevent crime and respond to emergencies. Programs that started through local innovation are the foundation for Citizen Corps and this national approach to citizen participation in community safety.

Citizen Corps is coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. In this capacity, FEMA works closely with other federal entities, state and local governments, first responders and emergency managers, the volunteer community, and the Corporation for National & Community Service.

Click on the following links to learn more about Citizen Corps:

Citizen Corps Mission & Overview
Map of Citizen Corps Councils
Listing of Citizen Corps Councils
Frequently Asked Questions about Citizen Corps
Media: For more information about Citizen Corps, including the Citizen Corps Mission Statement, Implementing the Mission – The Citizen Corps Council, Citizen Corps Program Overview, and FAQs, please view our Citizen Corps Press Kit or contact us at citizencorps@dhs.gov.

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