TERRORISM

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Terrorists have the knowledge and the capability to strike anywhere in the world. We have seen that when properly motivated they will do whatever they have to do in order to achieve their goals. Recent examples of terrorist attacks include the World Trade Center bombing, February 1993; the Tokyo Subway nerve agent attack, March 1995; and the Oklahoma City bombing, April 1995. There have been smaller bombing incidents, not necessarily classed as terrorist events, at the 1996 Olympics, at family planning clinics, and, recently, at social clubs. The list most likely will continue to grow.

All communities especially those in free societies are vulnerable to incidents involving terrorism. Nearly all of these communities contain some high-visibility target. These targets usually are situated along routes with high transportation and access potential. Many may have manufacturing and testing facilities. Other examples of locations that may become targets for criminal or terrorist activity include

An act of terrorism can occur anywhere, at any minute, when you would least expect it. No jurisdiction, urban, suburban, or rural, is totally immune.

Polk County is a rural county with a very high number of retirees and tourist. There are no large structures that hold a great number of people that would make a high profile target large enough to make a Statement. The County Courthouse is the largest government structure located within the county. Most terrorist threats that have been experienced in Polk County have come from individuals that are disgruntled with:

Polk County has only two (2) targets that would make a political Statement or may tend to intimidate or coerce government or make a social statement. These targets would be very difficult to inflict any serious damage. (1) Lake Livingston Dam and (2) Lake Livingston Water Supply. Contamination of the Lake Livingston Water Supply could affect the metropolitan area of Houston, however Lake Livingston is a secondary water supply and may not inflict any serious harm. Bomb threats against Public Schools are common place and to date have all turned out to be hoaxes. Most of the time these incidents are students playing jokes or attempting to have school dismiss early.

To date a terrorist threat has not been carried out against a local government building or public gathering in Polk County. Most terrorist threats are criminal acts against individuals not against public structures or gatherings. Despite our security consciousness, if terrorists intend to wreak havoc it will be difficult to stop them.

Polk County has not experienced civil disorder, we have had gang related problems that have escalated into confrontations with police, but to date these were isolated cases.

This Homepage was prepared by Kenneth F. Hambrick, Polk County Coordinator. Contact at E-Mail address: webmaster@pcoem.org for additional information about our program. The information contained in this Homepage is considered public domain and the Office of Emergency Management encourages interested persons to utilize any portions of it that might be of educational benefit or enhance their local programs.