HomelandSecurityLeader.com

From FBI Release 

On television and the silver screen, serial killers are usually white males and dysfunctional loners who really want to get caught. Or, they’re super-intelligent monsters who frustrate law enforcement at every turn.

According to a new publication from our National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime—entitled Serial Murder: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators—serial killers are much different in real life.

The report contains the collective insights of a group of experts from the law enforcement, academic, and mental health professions who took part in a symposium on serial murder. The symposium’s focus was actually two-fold: to bridge the gap between fact and fiction and to build up our collective body of knowledge to generate a more effective investigative response.

Here’s why that is so important: Serial killings are rare, probably less than one percent of all murders. They do, however, receive a lot of attention in the news and on screen—and much of the information out there is wrong. Yet, the public, the media, and even sometimes law enforcement professionals who have limited experience with serial murder, often believe what they read and hear. And this misinformation can hinder investigations.

According to the experts, there is no common thread tying serial killers together—no single cause, no single motive, no single profile. But there are some common “best practices” that they recommend for investigations:

For example:

* Strong leadership throughout the chain of command that can withstand the external pressure sometimes brought to bear on serial murder cases by politicians, the victims’ families, and the media;
* Task forces that bring together agencies from the different jurisdictions to effectively combine expertise, resources, and information;
* An automated case management system like the FBI’s Rapid Start that organizes and collates lead information so investigators don’t get overwhelmed;
* A team of crime analysts who can help investigators develop timelines of murders and backgrounds on suspects, highlight similar case elements, etc. (note: if your agency doesn’t have such a team, ask for help from a neighboring jurisdiction or from our National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime);
* Consistent forensic services, which in the best case scenario means that the same crime scene team goes to each scene and the same crime lab processes all the evidence (but if that’s not possible, then enhanced communication between the teams and the labs is a must to ensure consistency); and
* A strong media plan that successfully straddles the line between giving out relevant information to the media and not compromising the investigation—while helping to raise public awareness about the killings.

As for serial killer myths, our group of experts had this to say about a few of them:

1) Serial killers are not all dysfunctional loners: some have had wives and kids and full-time jobs and have been very active in their community or church or both.

2) Serial killers are not all white males: the racial diversification of serial killers generally mirrors the overall U.S. population.

3) Serial killers do not want to get caught: over time, as they kill without being discovered, they get careless during their crimes.

So much for the stereotypes!

Read Full Report…

From PoliceMag.com, by Richard Valdemar 

Gang members had been planning an attack on the police and the public for months. The Rodney King verdict was just an excuse.

Los Angeles’ dynamics radically changed for the worse, on the evening of Wednesday April 29, 1992. It began when major rioting broke out following the acquittal of four LAPD police officers accused of beating Rodney King. But the trouble had been brewing in L.A. for many years.

Most of the media would attribute the causes of the riots to the same old politically correct BS: lack of jobs, racial profiling, and years of police abuse. However, during that time I was a sergeant working the LASD Special Investigations Bureau (SPI) and I was privileged to read and review all the police intelligence reports of that period. So I have a very different opinion.

For several months prior to the riots, intelligence reports rolled across my desk about activity in the Jordan Downs, Imperial Courts, and Nickerson Gardens Housing Projects. Drug dealers were financing meetings of gang members from rival gangs, and these meetings were being arbitrated by OGs (veteran gang members) or the Fruit of Islam, Black Muslim security units.

Full Story… 

From Al Jazeera

One person has died and at least 30 others have been injured by a series of small bombs planted in the southern Pakistan city of Karachi.

The six devices went off within an hour of each other on Monday evening in different locations of the port city in Sindh province.

A provincial police officer said bomb disposal teams had been sent to determine the nature of the devices.

Full Story…

From Al Jazeera

At least 20 people, mostly police officers, have been killed in a suspected suicide attack in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

The attack on Sunday was near a police station several hundred metres from a rally marking one year since a deadly raid on the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque).

“The whole event at the mosque went smoothly but then the suicide bomber targeted the security,” Rehman Malik, the interior ministry chief, told reporters at the scene.

Full Story… 

The FBI is seeking information about Nicholas T. Sheley, a fugitive from Rock Falls, Illinois. Sheley is wanted for a home invasion in Sterling, Illinois, and on federal charges for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. He is also suspected in eight homicides, including:

* the murder of an elderly man in Whiteside County, Illinois
* the murder of two individuals in Festus, Missouri
* the murder of an individual in Galesburg, Illinois
* the murder of three adults and one child in Rock Falls, Illinois

All eight victims appear to have been killed by blunt force trauma to the head.

“Nicholas T. Sheley is suspected of violently taking eight lives in the span of a few days. The FBI will bring to bear all of its investigative resources to assist the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police in bringing Sheley to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Grant, FBI Chicago Division.

“We ask that citizens remain alert and report any suspicious activity that may lead to Sheley’s location and arrest. With the vigilance of the public, we can end Sheley’s violent killing spree,” said Sheriff Roger Schipper, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office.

“Sheley should be considered violent and extremely dangerous, and we are working diligently with our partners, the FBI and the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, to apprehend him,” said Director Larry G. Trent, Illinois State Police.

Nicholas T. Sheley is described as a white male, 28 years of age, 5’11”, approximately 165 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair. He has tattoos on his arms, chest, and shoulders. He has a criminal history of armed violence and resisting arrest. Sheley should be considered armed and dangerous.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for any information leading directly to the arrest of Nicholas T. Sheley. Sheley’s picture is featured on digital billboards across the country. Individuals with information should take no action themselves, but instead immediately contact the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office call center at 1-866-219-8333 (toll-free) or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (toll-free). Tips can also be submitted online. For any possible sighting outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

For more information, visit www.fbi.gov.

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH

Washington, Jun 10 - Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio
In the United States House of Representatives
Monday, June 9th, 2008
A Resolution

INDEX

Article I
Creating a Secret Propaganda Campaign to Manufacture a False Case for War Against Iraq.

Article II
Falsely, Systematically, and with Criminal Intent Conflating the Attacks of September 11, 2001, With Misrepresentation of Iraq as a Security Threat as Part of Fraudulent Justification for a War of Aggression.

Article III
Misleading the American People and Members of Congress to Believe Iraq Possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction, to Manufacture a False Case for War.

Article IV
Misleading the American People and Members of Congress to Believe Iraq Posed an Imminent Threat to the United States.

Article V
Illegally Misspending Funds to Secretly Begin a War of Aggression.

Article VI
Invading Iraq in Violation of the Requirements of H. J. Res114.

Article VII
Invading Iraq Absent a Declaration of War.

Article VIII
Invading Iraq, A Sovereign Nation, in Violation of the UN Charter.

Article IX
Failing to Provide Troops With Body Armor and Vehicle Armor.

Article X
Falsifying Accounts of US Troop Deaths and Injuries for Political Purposes.

Article XI
Establishment of Permanent U.S. Military Bases in Iraq.

Article XII
Initiating a War Against Iraq for Control of That Nation’s Natural Resources.

Article XIIII
Creating a Secret Task Force to Develop Energy and Military Policies With Respect to Iraq and Other Countries.

Article XIV
Misprision of a Felony, Misuse and Exposure of Classified Information And Obstruction of Justice in the Matter of Valerie Plame Wilson, Clandestine Agent of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Article XV
Providing Immunity from Prosecution for Criminal Contractors in Iraq.

Article XVI
Reckless Misspending and Waste of U.S. Tax Dollars in Connection With Iraq and US Contractors.

Article XVII
Illegal Detention: Detaining Indefinitely And Without Charge Persons Both U.S. Citizens and Foreign Captives.

Article XVIII
Torture: Secretly Authorizing, and Encouraging the Use of Torture Against Captives in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Other Places, as a Matter of Official Policy.

Article XIX
Rendition: Kidnapping People and Taking Them Against Their Will to “Black Sites” Located in Other Nations, Including Nations Known to Practice Torture.

Article XX
Imprisoning Children.

Article XXI
Misleading Congress and the American People About Threats from Iran, and Supporting Terrorist Organizations Within Iran, With the Goal of Overthrowing the Iranian Government.

Article XXII
Creating Secret Laws.

Article XXIII
Violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.

Article XXIV
Spying on American Citizens, Without a Court-Ordered Warrant, in Violation of the Law and the Fourth Amendment.

Article XXV
Directing Telecommunications Companies to Create an Illegal and Unconstitutional Database of the Private Telephone Numbers and Emails of American Citizens.

Article XXVI
Announcing the Intent to Violate Laws with Signing Statements.

Article XXVII
Failing to Comply with Congressional Subpoenas and Instructing Former Employees Not to Comply.

Article XXVIII
Tampering with Free and Fair Elections, Corruption of the Administration of Justice.

Article XXIX
Conspiracy to Violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Article XXX
Misleading Congress and the American People in an Attempt to Destroy Medicare.

Article XXXI
Katrina: Failure to Plan for the Predicted Disaster of Hurricane Katrina, Failure to Respond to a Civil Emergency.

Article XXXII
Misleading Congress and the American People, Systematically Undermining Efforts to Address Global Climate Change.

Article XXXIII
Repeatedly Ignored and Failed to Respond to High Level Intelligence Warnings of Planned Terrorist Attacks in the US, Prior to 911.

Article XXXIV
Obstruction of the Investigation into the Attacks of September 11, 2001.

Article XXXV
Endangering the Health of 911 First Responders.

Full Content…

Securing Energy & Chemical Infrastructure
Solutions to Fortify Production and Transport

June 9, 2008
8am-8:30am Breakfast and Networking
8:30-9:30am Panel Discussion

The Harvard Club
35 West 44th Street
New York

Please RSVP to Gordon Platt
gplatt@gothammediaventures.com
Join the Security Breakfast Linkedin Network
Link to http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/100508/4A0F035EC21E

Moderator

Scott Greiper
Managing Director
Legend Merchant Group

Panelists

Gianni Arcaini
CEO
Duos Technologies

Skip Elliott
Vice President of Public Safety and Environment
CSX Transportation

Brian Noone
Chief Security Officer
Keyspan Corporation

Joe Tadrick
Protective Security Advisory
Department of Homeland Security

From abcnews.go.com, by Pierre Thomas and Theresa Cook

Intelligence and law enforcement sources tell ABC News they are expecting al Qaeda supporters will post a new video on the Internet in the next 24 hours, calling for what one source said is “jihadists to use biological, chemical and nuclear weapons to attack the West.”

Officials say they expect a new tape from al Qaeda to call for the use of weapons of mass destruction against civilians. The group has released messages with increasing frequency this year.

“There have been several reports that al Qaeda will release a new message calling for the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) against civilians,” FBI spokesman Richard Kolko told ABC News in an e-mail.

“Although there have been similar messages in the past, the FBI and [Department of Homeland Security] have no intelligence of any specific plot or indication of a threat to the U.S.,” the e-mail said. “The FBI and U.S. intelligence community will review the message for any intelligence value.”

Full Story… 

Officer Down: Mexican Federal Police Chief Edgar Millan Gomez

Mexico: Examining Cartel War Violence Through a Protective Intelligence Lens (STRATFOR)
By Fred Burton and Scott Stewart

Mexico’s long and violent drug cartel war has recently intensified. The past week witnessed the killings of no fewer than six senior police officials. One of those killed was Edgar Millan Gomez, acting head of the Mexican federal police and the highest-ranking federal cop in Mexico. Millan Gomez was shot to death May 8 just after entering his home in Mexico City.

Within the past few days, six suspects have been arrested in connection with his murder. One of the ringleaders is said to be a former federal highway police officer. The suspects appear to have ties to the Sinaloa cartel. In fact, Millan Gomez was responsible for a police operation in January that led to the arrest of Alfredo Beltran Leyva, the cartel’s second-in-command. Mexican police believe Beltran Leyva’s brother Arturo (who is also a significant player in the Sinaloa cartel structure) commissioned the hit.

During the same time period, violence from the cartel war has visited the family of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera, the Sinaloa cartel leader who has the distinction of being Mexico’s most-wanted drug kingpin. On May 8, Guzman Loera’s son Edgar Guzman Beltran and two companions were killed by a large-scale ambush as they left a shopping mall in Culiacan, Sinaloa.

Full Story…

From DHS Release 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today more than $844 million in grant awards as part of its Infrastructure Protection Activities (IPA) grant program.  Grant awards will strengthen security at ports and enhance transit, trucking and intercity bus systems.  Funds provided will be used to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.

“With this year’s funding, the department will have provided roughly $3 billion in grants for securing the nation’s critical infrastructure and transportation systems,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.  “As capabilities mature, we’re encouraging state and local governments and the private sector to prioritize IED prevention and protection, communications capabilities, information sharing, and regionally based security cooperation.”

Fiscal Year 2008 IPA awards represent a 29 percent increase from last year.  They include:

• Port Security Grant Program: $388.6 million

The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) supports sustainable, risk-based efforts to enhance access control and credentialing, protect against an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and other non-conventional attacks, and conduct exercises for disaster-response scenarios.  The seven highest risk port areas that comprise Group I will receive $220.9 million, which is a 26 percent increase from last year.  There are 40 Group II port areas that will receive a total of $138.1 million, and 16 Group III port areas will be awarded $17.3 million.  Other port areas will receive a total of almost $9.9 million, and five ferry systems will be awarded more than $2.4 million.  DHS has provided nearly $1.5 billion in PSGP grants since 2003.

• Transit Security Grant Program: $380.1 million
  The Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) supports sustainable, risk-based efforts to protect critical transit infrastructure, particularly against explosives and non-conventional threats that could cause major disruption to commerce and significant loss of life.  The eight highest risk Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) Tier 1 awardees will receive a total of $333.2 million, which is a 46 percent increase from last year.  There are 23 UASI Tier II awardees that will receive a total $16.9 million.  They will also have an opportunity to re-compete for another $8.5 million.  DHS has provided roughly $921 million in TSGP grants since 2005.

o    Freight Rail Security Grant Program: $4.9 million
The Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) provides awards to railroad operators that transport security-sensitive materials through high-density population areas.  This is the first year of funding for the FRSGP, which will prioritize the development of vulnerability assessments and security plans, as well as security training of railroad front-line employees.

o    Intercity Passenger Rail Program: $25 million
The Intercity Passenger Rail Program (IPRP) will fund the National Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak) to harden underground and underwater track and tunnels against IEDs, train key employees in counter-terrorism, and expand visible deterrence activities.  DHS has provided more than $50 million in IPRP grants since 2005.

• Intercity Bus Security Grant Program: $11.2 million
  The Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) provides awards to operators of fixed route intercity and charter bus companies serving one or more defined UASI jurisdictions. Funding priorities include: IED prevention and detection; protection of high-risk/high consequence assets; antiterrorism training and preparedness exercises; visible, unpredictable deterrence activities; and the development of vulnerability assessments and security plans. There are six awardees providing extensive service to UASI Tier I jurisdictions that will receive $6.2 million. The remaining $5 million will be allocated to UASI Tier II eligible recipients.  DHS has provided more than $71 million in IBSGP grants since 2003.

• Buffer Zone Protection Program: $48.5 million
  The Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP) provides grant funding for security and risk-management capabilities at state and local levels to bolster pre-designated UASI Tier I and Tier II critical infrastructure sites, such as chemical facilities, financial institutions, nuclear and electric power plants, dams, stadiums, and other high-risk/high-consequence facilities.  DHS has provided more than $236 million in BZPP funds since 2005.

• Trucking Security Grant Program (TSP): $15.5 million
  The Trucking Security Grant Program (TSP) provides an award to a single grantee selected through a competitive process.  The funding will support: participant identification and recruitment, planning, training, communications, and information analysis and distribution.  DHS has provided nearly $78 million in TSP grants since 2003.

IPA grants reinforce the department’s approach to risk-based funding and commitment to regional planning and security coordination. The department considered the threat, vulnerability and consequences of an attack on critical infrastructure as well as the effectiveness of proposed solutions in making grant determinations. The risk-based methodology is consistent across IPA programs and is aligned with methodology used to determine eligibility for core DHS state and local grant programs.

For the list of individual grants and further IPA information, please visit www.dhs.gov.