Reducing Terrorism Risk at Shopping Centers

[Stan]

Hi Kaur !

Identifying Ways Shopping Centers Can Sharply Reduce Terrorism Risk — Feb. 12, 2007

A high-priority set of six to 10 security measures can cut terrorism risk to just one-fifteenth the level it would otherwise be at enclosed shopping centers. Measures include: public information campaigns encouraging people to report suspicious packages; searching kiosks for bombs and weapons; and more.

We've been at this for the last 5 years and although not necessarily terrrorism (depends on which end of the IED you're on), public support (more like frustration) in reporting suspicious articles is paying off and saving a few people their lives.

From 98 to 2004 we responded to an annual average of:
28 explosions/detonations
233 bomb threats
19 related deaths and injuries
120 reports of suspicious articles, and
10 IEDs.

Over the last 2.5 years we saw a significant decrease:
11 explosions/detonations
36 bomb threats
11 related deaths and injuries
277 reports of suspicious articles, and
11 IEDs.

The increased public awareness and jump in suspect article reporting drastically reduced our more serious problems.

Of all the bomb threats called in, most were to shopping centers and schools.