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DHS Bulletin: Potential
Terrorist Use of Official Identification, Uniforms, or Vehicles
Department Of Homeland Security
Information Bulletin
Updated :
August 11th, 2004 10:30:10 AM
OVERVIEW:
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Information Bulletins are
informational in nature and are designed to provide updates on the
training, tactics, or strategies of terrorists. The following information
is meant to advise the owners and operators of the nation?s infrastructures
about the possible use by terrorists of official identification,
uniforms, or vehicles to gain access to sensitive facilities for
purposes of planning or carrying out attacks. (In this Information
Bulletin, ?official? refers to recognized implements of federal,
state, and local governments and private sector entities.) While
DHS possesses no information indicating an organized effort by extremist
elements in the United States to illegally obtain official identification,
uniforms, or vehicles in furtherance of terrorist activities, it
has identified the recent theft or disappearance of large numbers
of these items. Attempts to acquire official identification, uniforms,
or vehicles would be consistent with the tactics and techniques
of Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups, according to a variety of
reporting sources.
DETAILS:
Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups likely view the theft or other
illegal acquisition of official identification, uniforms, or vehicles
as an effective way to increase access and decrease scrutiny in
furtherance of planning and operations. Although we possess no information
that Al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups are systematically pursuing
the illegal acquisition of the above referenced items, there is
indeed precedence for the use of official identification, uniforms,
or vehicles in the execution of terrorist attacks. Terrorist groups
have utilized police or military uniforms to mask their identities
and achieve closer access to their targets without arousing suspicion.
This was illustrated in the December 2002, suicide bombings that
targeted the Chechen Government Headquarters in Groznyy, Russia.
Terrorists in South America, the Philippines and Pakistan have commandeered
or stolen emergency medical services vehicles and uniforms (or cleverly
designed imitations) to facilitate the execution of their attacks
on key facilities.
In an effort to understand
the extent of official identification, uniform, and vehicle thefts,
DHS recently conducted a survey of selected members of the law enforcement
community in five states. This survey revealed that from February
to May 2003 hundreds of official identification cards, badges, decals,
uniforms, and government license plates were reported stolen or
lost. Additionally, a number of private companies have reported
receiving suspicious inquiries about renting official delivery vehicles
and emergency services representatives have received unusual requests
for detailed vehicle descriptions. There is no historical baseline
to compare recent theft or suspicious inquiry data, and the intent
or resolution of many of the thefts cannot be determined.
The worldwide proliferation
of individuals or ?companies? that traffic in high-quality imitations
of official identification, uniforms, or vehicles is a related issue
that increases the possibility such items could be used to facilitate
future terrorist attacks and further complicates efforts to prevent
their acquisition. For example, earlier this month the New York
City High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force reported
that it had identified a Japanese website selling near exact replicas
of badges from law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Secret
Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency,
U.S. Marshals Service, and Los Angeles Police Department.
Several press reports this
year have referred to the theft and sale over the Internet of a
large number of United Parcel Service (UPS) uniforms. Although these
reports proved to be false, they did bring to the public?s attention
the potential security concerns of missing or stolen identification,
uniforms, or vehicles.
DHS reminds all recipients
to remain vigilant to the disappearance of, or unauthorized inquiries
regarding, official identification cards, badges, decals, uniforms,
government license plates, and vehicles and establish practices
that account for missing items. DHS encourages recipients to report
suspicious incidents to the proper authorities and to remain vigilant
for any nexus to terrorism
PROTECTIVE MEASURES:
Recognizing that possession of some combination of official identification
cards, badges, decals, uniforms, government license plates, and
vehicles tends to reduce suspicion and might allow an individual
or vehicle greater access to sensitive facilities, the following
protective measures are suggested:
- Keep comprehensive records of all official identification
cards, badges, decals, uniforms, and license plates distributed,
documenting any anomalies and canceling access to items that
are lost or stolen.
- Practice accountability of all vehicles to include tracking
vehicles that are in service, in repair status, or sent to salvage.1
- Safeguard uniforms, patches, badges, ID cards, and other forms
of official identification to protect against unauthorized access
to facilities, to include stripping all decommissioned vehicles
slated for resale and/or salvage of all agency identifying markings
and emergency warning devices.2
- Check multiple forms of valid identification for each facility
visitor.
- Verify the legitimate business needs of all approaching vehicles
and personnel.
- Improve identification card technology to eliminate reuse
or unauthorized duplication. Alert uniform store vendors of
the need to establish and verify the identities of individuals
seeking to purchase uniform articles.3
- Ensure all personnel are provided a security briefing regarding
present and emerging threats.
DHS encourages recipients
of this Information Bulletin to report information concerning suspicious
or criminal activity to law enforcement or a DHS watch office. The
DHS Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection watch offices
may be contacted at:
For private citizens and companies ? Phone: (202) 323-3205, 1-888-585-9078
Email: nipc.watch@fbi.gov
For Telecom industry - Phone: (703) 607-4950
Email: ncs@dhs.gov
For Federal agencies/departments - Phone:
(888) 282-0870
Email: fedcirc@fedcirc.gov
Online: https://incidentreport.fedcirc.gov
DHS intends to update this Information Bulletin should it receive
additional relevant information, including information provided
to it by the user community. Based on this notification, no change
to the Homeland Security Advisory System level (HSAS) is anticipated;
the current HSAS level is YELLOW.
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