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| http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/22/us-usa-security-mall-idUSKBN0LQ0IY20150222 |
SUMMARY:
In the article “Homeland Security says aware of no credible threat against malls” we learn that despite a threat to the Mall of America and other shopping sites in the West by Somali-based Islamist militants, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said as of Sunday, February 22nd, it was not aware of any specific plot against U.S. malls. There had been some doubt about the credibility of the threat from U.S. and Canadian officials originally. Although, since the threat specifically mentioned the Mall of America, the West Edmonton Mall in Canada, and London’s Oxford Street and sites in Paris, it was still regarded as serious because as Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said, “Anytime a terrorist organization calls for an attack on a specific place, we’ve got to take that seriously.” A U.S. intelligence official said security officials are worried about a potential attack on U.S. soil by a solitary militant, but that the specific group that posed the threat, the al Shabaab group, has not appeared to gain much traction with most Somalis in the West, including in Minneapolis, thus lessening their fear.
ANALYSIS:
I was surprised that Homeland Security would not take this threat more seriously. I understand that they do not want to create a large commotion over something so negative that may not happen, but in my opinion the fact that specific places were named increases the severity of the threat. I hope that in the future, when there will unfortunately most likely be similar events, that Homeland Security will increase their security practices and how they consider threats.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What do you think should be specific measures for how Homeland Security takes action on potential threats?
- How much should the public know about the work that Homeland Security is doing?
I read this article for my current events blog post too, and I agree with you. The US has begun to see different versions of terrorist threats as different levels of importance. I think that because this specific threat was made through an hour long video threatening many places all over the western part of the world, the US didn't take it as seriously because they weren't the only ones being targeted. Homeland Security is obviously taking extra precautions at the Mall of America, but terrorist threats in general need to start being more looked into, and taken much more seriously.
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ReplyDeleteI think Homeland Security to should up their game on securing the Mall without having to worry the people. It may not be easy, but if Homeland Security shows the terrorists they are weak then ultimately they are capable of doing anything. I think they should set up screening stations and metal detectors to protect the people coming into the mall. They shouldn't stop with just checking the shoppers, but they should also check the staff, the products coming and going from the building itself.
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ReplyDeleteJessica, you are 100% right. Terrorists groups are getting bigger and are making more threats towards the U.S. and other western countries. Homeland Security should have made a bigger deal out of the threats that happened at these bigger, populated malls. It is important that if at any time there is a threat to the U.S. citizens or their allies, the Homeland Security needs to be there and keep the people away from the situation until it can be deemed harmless. It is time that we take action against these terrorist groups and hit them before they can hit us at home.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked as well that the Homeland Security weren't that concerned although there were potential threats. I understand that they probably didn't want to spread unnecessary fear throughout the public but it it's more important to be safe than sorry. I think that they should have taken a more serious approach to it because taking cautionary steps can cause no harm whereas doing nothing about it and then having something happen can be harmful. If there was a specific date or time period concerning the rumor of when the attacks were supposedly going to happen, they should have shut down the mall during that time for the safety of the public.
ReplyDeleteSociety shouldn't be concerned if there is a lot of commotion over a terrorist threat. I think its good that officials like Jeh Johnson take the initiative to inform potential victims of an attack. Homeland Security should establish measures of what to do if you find yourself in a terrorist attack; should you run, hide, or go somewhere? The status of a potential terrorist attack should be updated to the public. This would allow us to weigh the chances of something terrible happening.
ReplyDeleteWhenever there's a threat to the US I believe that it should be taken seriously and not dismissed because the group isn't as well known, and I think this really contradicts the statement made by Jeh Johnson who earlier in the article said that each threat is taken seriously. If it's looked at seriously it should be reacted too in the same manner.
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