Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council

Nearly a decade removed from the horrific events of September 11, 2001, memories of our fellow Americans are never far away. Time has proven that the threat of terrorism endures today, in all corners of our great nation and the world. With the hard lesson of the many lives lost, the Department of Justice has employed new and innovative approaches, together with federal, state, local, and tribal partners to proactively detect, disrupt, and dismantle terrorism plots before tragedies occur. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands established the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) to prepare, prevent, and prosecute all who target innocent Americans with the scourge of terrorism. Through information sharing, awareness initiatives, and training events, the ATAC seeks to equip law enforcement, first responders, and community leaders with the tools necessary to confront extremism wherever it exists, while also preserving the constitutional liberties that all Americans cherish.

Pre-Incident Indicators

There are eight pre-incident indicators that you should be aware of that may help in preventing the next attack, including:

1. Surveillance
   Someone recording or monitoring activities, including the use of cameras (both still and video), note taking, drawing diagrams, writing on maps, or using binoculars or any other vision-enhancing device.
2. Elicitation
   Anyone or any organization attempting to gain information by mail, fax, telephone or in person about military operations or people.
3. Tests of Security
   Any attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers or procedures.
4. Acquiring Supplies
   Purchasing or stealing explosives, weapons, ammunition, uniforms, decals, flight manuals, passes or badges (or the equipment to manufacture them), or any other controlled items.
5. Suspicious Persons
6. Out of Place
   People who don't seem to belong in the workplace, neighborhood, business establishment, or anywhere else. This also includes suspicious border crossings, stowaways aboard ship, or people jumping ship in port.
7. Dry Run
   Putting people into position and moving them about without actually committing a terrorist act such as a kidnapping or bombing. An element of this activity could also include mapping out routes and determining the timing of traffic lights and flow.
8. Deploying Assets
   People and supplies getting into position to commit the act. This is the last opportunity to alert authorities before the terrorism occurs.