As disturbing as it is to consider, one of the common aims of active shooters is to achieve what violent copycats refer to as a “high score,” or maximum casualties. In part, it’s why shooters often target large gatherings in places like grocery stores, churches, or movie theaters. These locations offer easily accessible clusters of potential victims and tend to feature limited security making them especially susceptible to an attack.
Report Details Threat and Recommendations
Attempting to address the vulnerabilities these locations face, experts at the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center recently conducted an assessment of the threat to what are known in preparedness circles as Soft Targets and Crowded Places—or “ST-CPs.” Combining attack plot analyses, grant data studies, and literature reviews with security cost modeling, the research helped isolate key areas of improvement and how to prioritize investment to apply updated security measures.
If you’re looking for one key takeaway, the DHS report highlighted what is known as the “attack chain,” or the sequential steps a would-be assailant must take to commit a mass shooting at scale on ST-CPs. Disrupting that chain at any point before or during with tools or actions like preparedness training, security protocols, and the application of Run-Hide-Fight tactics can all be effective at preventing or mitigating loss of life.
Insights that Demand Attention
It’s a study that should be required reading for every security professional and event planner at places like sports arenas, shopping centers, schools, transit systems, festivals and more. If that sounds like hyperbole, recent examples from the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade incident to the suburban Detroit splash pad shooting, or even just a roundup of the latest weekend’s headlines demand our attention and should prompt a call for greater analysis and increased security.
Yes, attacks on ST-CPs are statistically rare – but with potentially so many lives on the line, being unprepared isn’t worth the risk.
With expertise including Run-Hide-Fight, active shooter preparedness and response, situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, and more, The Power of Preparedness provides critical guidance that can save lives. Contact us to learn more.