Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you discuss the potential threats and risks from terrorism, kidnappings, and bombings. Address the following topics in your paper: Foreign and domestic methods of terrorism Different motivations of kidnappers Various bomb threat responses Various bomb delivery methods One real-world event involving your choice of a bombing, kidnapping, or terrorism act which occurred in the past 20 years and how executive protection played a role Explain how emerging and existing technologies could have been, or were used in response to this event Format your assignment consistent with APA guidelines. I need an intro and conclusion at least 3 references
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Kidnapping and Bombs!
A tale of abduction and things that go “boom” in the night!
There was martyrs in old times, that suffered death rather than give up the particular
graft they enjoyed….
O. Henry, “The Ransom of Red Chief”
Kidnapping and bombs, as they relate to a protectee, are of special primary importance to a protection agent. Kidnapping of an executive or key employee or bombing
of the workplace will have an adverse effect on the business and personnel. In addition to his regular protective duties, which include defending against kidnapping and
preventing the placement of bombs, a protection agent is often called upon to assist
in formulating antikidnapping and bomb-threat procedures.
Kidnapping
It was the Christmas holiday weekend in Tijuana, Mexico, an easy walk from the
border at San Diego, California. An American businessman left his house at the
regular time of about 9:00 a.m. and began his usual trip to the office, a few miles
away. Suddenly, just a few blocks from his house, he was set upon by a group of
men and forced into a car. His abduction was swift and little noticed. In a few hours,
his family and business were notified of the victim’s situation, and a $250,000 ransom was demanded for his safe return. The business, headquartered in Cincinnati,
Ohio, furnished the money and, as the ransom was delivered, police provided surveillance and followed the person who picked up the ransom. As he arrived at the
kidnapper’s headquarters, the police moved in, took the kidnappers into custody, and
successfully rescued the poor, frightened businessman. The unusual aspect of that
kidnapping was the successful and safe return of the victim, the apprehension of the
kidnappers, and recovery of the ransom money.
Tijuana is located less than twenty miles from downtown San Diego. It is a city
of over a million people and is very “Americanized.” American tourists, day trippers,
businessmen, and even American teenagers who go there on weekends to enjoy a
night of partying wrongly feel a sense of safety and security and that nothing untoward could render them victims of anything as unseemly as kidnapping. The aforementioned businessman had lived and worked in Tijuana for some time and had established
a lifestyle there. As he left home, he was merely following his daily routine.
If he had been reading the daily newspaper (even a copy of the San Diego newspaper), he might have realized that kidnapping has become a cottage industry—a
fast way to make large amounts of money as well as a common method of making
political demands. He would also have realized that, as a foreign businessman, he
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was a likely victim. But he was lulled by a false sense of security. He could see the
United States from his window, and Tijuana was so Americanized. He never could
have been more wrong. It nearly cost him his life and his company $250,000.
Kidnapping is the physical taking of a person by force, fear, or fraud to a hidden
place. It is normally accompanied by extortion—a demand for money or political
concessions. Victims are usually public figures, wealthy individuals or people of
perceived wealth, corporate executives, children, or young adults; anyone can be a
target for kidnapping. Most kidnappings have occurred on public streets within 3.5
miles of the victim’s home.
There are several reasons why kidnappings occur so close to home. Being in
very familiar surroundings, the intended victim tends to be more relaxed and is only
minimally aware of activity around him. He is usually preoccupied with thoughts of
anything but personal security. The kidnap scenario totally surprises him. Even as it
develops, he is slow in recognizing that it could be happening in his friendly neighborhood. He probably is living in an area where it is impossible to take an alternative
route away from home. His normally leaves home at the same time every day.
The potential victim and his accompanying protective agent(s) must be continually alert for any unusual, potentially menacing activity in the vicinity. Even though
he is in familiar surroundings, he must continue his vigilance. Often, a protective
group will begin to relax as the motorcade begins to approach the home area. The
agents are tired after being in a constant state of readiness. “What could happen so
close to home?” becomes an understood, unasked question, and an attitude of “routine as usual” supersedes the alert status. Leaving a safe compound, estate, or home
in the morning also engenders the attitude that “nothing could go wrong so early in
the morning.” A kidnapper will strike when your guard is down.
Kidnapping can be a way of attracting attention to a cause, righting a wrong
(such as inducing a political prisoner exchange), demanding social change, or obtaining a ransom. For whatever purpose, kidnapping is on a worldwide upswing because
of social and political volatility, especially in Third World countries.
Criminal justice experts, criminologists, and social scientists have identified
three categories of kidnappers. The classifications may often overlap but, for general
purposes, the types of kidnappers are as follows:
1. The political kidnapper or terrorist. This group includes religious, ethnic,
and racial fanatics who act for the usual reasons of attracting publicity for
their cause and achieving some political goal. American businesses abroad
have often caused a feeling of exploitation in the indigenous population.
The locals believe they are being taken advantage of through tax advantages
granted by the host country and low wages paid by the company. Certain
dissident groups have reacted to this actual or imagined exploitation by kidnapping corporate executives and making extortionate demands. The kidnapping is intended to force the government or the targeted entity (usually
a foreign business) to implement some change or act. Terrorist kidnappings
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are usually undertaken with multiple objectives, which include money, publicity, and the disruption of the legitimate operation of a business.
2. The mentally disturbed or mentally ill. Usually a psychopath, this type of
kidnapper is extremely dangerous because of his unpredictability, instability, and irrationality. He might kidnap in retaliation for having been fired
from his job, to address a real or imagined grievance that was not resolved
to his satisfaction, or just in response to an imagined or real insult. Sometimes a mentally ill person, without any comprehensive motive, will kidnap
or even kill innocent corporate personnel as a means of gaining fame and a
feeling of power. This type has become increasingly common since the late
1980s and is responsible for many injuries and deaths in the workplace.
3. The criminal kidnapper. He is usually interested only in making a large
sum of money quickly or force compliance with some demand. This type
of kidnapper may not be as dangerous as the other two, as he is apt to be
rational, and his only desire is monetary payment or his freedom in return
for the safe release of the victim.
Establishing Kidnap and Extortion Policy
A policy should be established that provides guidelines for handling a kidnapping
attempt directed against a protectee. A protection specialist may be called on to
aid in devising a procedural plan for such incidents. These guidelines should spell
out specific policy relative to paying ransoms and other details. Particular emphasis
should be placed on naming appropriate responsibilities and assigning authority for
crisis decisions. Provisions should also be made for the uninterrupted conduct of
business. Contingency plans should be frankly discussed with the potential victim,
his family, and business associates regarding what should be done in the event of a
kidnapping. Contingency plans should be reviewed on a regular basis, and certain
code words should be created and understood by those most vulnerable to kidnapping. In the event a principal or a family member is kidnapped, code words and
duress signals can be useful for sending hidden messages if the kidnappers force the
victim to communicate with the outside world.
When discussing kidnap scenarios, certain decisions must be made in advance.
One of the most important concerns whom to notify if an executive, celebrity, or
other VIP is taken. This decision depends partly on the nature of the threat (or actual
crisis) and the content of the communications from the perpetrators. A terrorist
group staging a spectacular kidnapping will often communicate directly with the
news media to ensure maximum publicity. Obviously, in this instance, there is no
additional danger to the victim if the agent contacts appropriate law enforcement
agencies directly and immediately.
On the other hand, an individual or group of criminals effecting a covert kidnapping for ransom, in their initial contact, may demand secrecy under penalty of death.
In this extreme case, the crisis manager (director of security, protection specialist,
or other designee) should send a prearranged signal to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (in the United States) or the proper agency in another country. It is usually
best to discreetly alert the proper authorities despite any warnings received from the
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kidnappers. In this situation, no other agency or individuals should be notified. The
victim’s home and family could very well be under surveillance and the telephone
monitored. At the very least, it can be expected that the kidnapper will redial the
contact number several times after his initial communication to see if the line is busy
(to determine if authorities are being notified in spite of his warning). Kidnap situations between these two extremes demand caution and judgment in notifying the
predetermined personnel and authorities.
Other considerations are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Is a ransom to be paid?
Is the full amount to be paid, or will there be negotiations?
If there are to be negotiations, what are the limits?
How is the cash to be raised?
Is the money to be marked? If so, how?
Who will deliver the ransom?
Should there be a rescue/arrest attempt when payment is made? (Note that
this is often the best time or only opportunity to intervene.)
Hostage and Kidnap Negotiations
A skilled, experienced, professional hostage negotiator must conduct hostage negotiations. The key to successful negotiations is communication between the negotiator, hostage taker, and corporate representatives or law enforcement authorities. A
professional negotiator must understand the mental state of the hostage taker. Time
is on the side of the negotiating team, so negotiations must not be hurried or seemingly in a state of panic. Negotiations must be done in a calm, collected manner. As
part of kidnap/hostage contingency planning, expert negotiators must be identified
and able to respond on very short notice. They must be familiar with the background
of the victim, how the situation developed, and corporate policies regarding the circumstances. The negotiators must have authority (working with the crisis management team and police) to make decisions and must be able to convey this to the
hostage taker.
Corporate executives, celebrities, VIPs, and other likely kidnapping targets
should consider kidnapping as a real possibility. Executive protection programs
should be planned, programmed, and implemented with special attention to prevention and preparedness. In the absence of a formal executive protection plan that
includes protective agents, advance personnel, and so forth, a potential victim can
do several things to deter a possible kidnapping. It is recommended that they follow
standard target-hardening procedures and maintain a low-profile personal lifestyle.
They should
1.
2.
3.
4.
Keep their names off mailboxes and front doors.
Have their home telephone numbers unlisted.
Stay out of the newspaper social columns.
Vary their daily routines, time of departures and arrivals, routes of travel,
and so on.
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5. Install security alarm systems.
6. Report threatening telephone calls and letters.
7. Look out for surveillance, being suspicious of “census takers,” “lost tourists,” and others.
8. Compile personal profiles on potential targets and their families. Maintain
basic, everyday security procedures and alertness, and keep records that
include physical descriptions, photographs, and medical histories that may
be useful to authorities in case of a kidnapping or other emergency. Lock
the files in a secure safe or vault.
10. Conduct liaison with local law enforcement and the FBI representatives to learn
their polices and determine what help they can provide in an emergency.
11. Attempt to determine or predict how family and staff will react in a stressful emergency situation.
12. Form a crisis management team.
13. Create written contingency plans, and have them on file, for bomb threats,
kidnappings and other hostage situations, and other terrorist actions.
14. Brief and train personnel in the ways, motives, and goals of terrorist groups.
These are only minimal target-hardening measures. The protection agent should
develop further contingency plans and obtain the cooperation of the key inner-circle
personnel to make the business and living environment as safe and free from adverse
activities as possible. Living and working in high-threat areas demands very close
attention to the details of target hardening, threat assessment, and preventive measures. The best way to avoid paying ransom with a life or money is to make the target
unappealing or unreachable.
Bombs and Bomb Threats
To the uninitiated or uninformed, a bomb may be visualized as a six-pack of dynamite wrapped with wire and having a fuse and perhaps a clock attached to it. But a
metal soap dish, a thermos bottle, a cigarette package, a shoebox, beer cans, or any
of thousands of containers can hold a bomb. Explosive devices come in all shapes,
sizes, and containers. What really makes a bomb frightening is the fact it can be
placed in anything, anywhere, and does not discriminate in whom it hurts, maims,
or kills.
Protection personnel and others who could be exposed to a bomb in any way—
as victims, targets, or bomb searchers—should be familiar with bombs: how they
are made, delivered, and exploded. In some areas of the world, explosive devices
are common tools of terrorism and political unrest. The makings of a bomb are
readily available. The Oklahoma City bombing enlightened the whole world about
the explosive power of simple fertilizer and motor fuel. In some instances, military
ordinance (explosive material) has been stolen or bought on the black market. Commercial explosives, used at construction sites, are often stolen or purchased from
munitions and explosives dealers. A bomber can readily make explosives by simply
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following recipes obtained from underground bomb cookbooks or literature in a
public library. A bright student with a minimal education in high school chemistry
can make a bomb.
Homemade bombs are especially dangerous because of the way they are made.
A bomb maker is limited by his knowledge of explosives, supplies, tools, and targets.
There will be variations in design and manufacture. Therefore, when an unexploded
bomb is found, there can be no set procedures for rendering it safe. Only highly
trained and experienced bomb disposal specialists or explosive ordinance disposal
(EOD) personnel must be allowed to handle any suspicious device that could be
a bomb. Protection agents should never attempt to defuse a bomb or move it to a
“safer” area.
Explosive devices must contain at least two things: an explosive substance and
something to make it explode. The explosion is initiated by one of three methods: (1)
time, (2) motion, or (3) remote control. The most common type of bomb initiator is a
burning fuse. The length of the fuse determines the burn time. But this type of bomb,
because of the burning fuse, is seldom the device of choice when the target is other
than a construction site or rock quarry. A timing device such as a watch or clock
controls a mechanical-delay bomb. When a clock’s hand reaches a specified point on
the clock face, contact with an electrical source (usually a small battery) causes the
initiator (an electrical blasting cap) to ignite the explosive charge.
Motion-initiated bombs (often called booby traps) are set off when an article is
moved, causing a connection to be broken or brought into contact and sending a current to the igniter. Mousetraps and similar devices make excellent initiators because
of their sensitivity to movement. This type of bomb is secreted in packages, books,
automobiles, and other locations.
Remotely initiated bombs are rigged so that the explosive device is set off using
a remote control similar to a garage door opener or television channel selector.
Bomb Delivery
Bombs are delivered and placed in the target area by several surreptitious means.
Most commonly, one or more perpetrators gain access to the area by posing as maintenance personnel, vendors, clients, or other legitimate visitors. A bomb may be
hand delivered and personally placed by the bomber in the exact position desired or
to prevent premature firing.
The bomb that blew up Pan American flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in
1988 (killing 259 passengers and injuring 11 others on the ground) was thought to
have been secreted in a cassette recorder. Either a passenger unknowingly carried it
aboard the plane, or a ground technician placed it aboard. It is now standard procedure at all airports to remind the public to avoid leaving any luggage unattended. If
unattended luggage is observed, the public is asked to report it, and police or airport
authorities will confiscate it. The public is also asked to not carry any luggage for
anyone not flying on the same flight and to refuse any packages from strangers.
Receptionists and other personnel who come into contact with visitors should
be cautioned to watch for individuals who appear to “forget” a briefcase or other
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package. If a visitor ignores a reminder and persists in leaving the object behind, it
could be a bomb and should be treated accordingly.
Sometimes bombs are delivered in the mail or by a package delivery service.
Any suspicious package or letter should be treated as a potential bomb. Package and
letter bombs can be easily delivered and accepted without suspicion during periods
when packages are expected, such as Christmas or birthdays. If a return address is
unfamiliar or a package or letter appears unusual in any way, it should be suspect.
Letter bombs are often identifiable because they are slightly thicker and/or
heavier than the usual brochures and advertising packets. On occasion, they have
been described as smelling like almonds or shoe polish. In addition, some irregularities may be discerned by very lightly touching the flat su …
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