How Building Owners Should Respond to Terrorism Alerts

What should building owners and property managers do when the government issues a terrorism alert?

On Sept. 21, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI issued security bulletins to police across the country.  The bulletins alerted police to the continuing desire of terrorists to attack stadiums, entertainment complexes, hotels, and mass-transit systems.

The bulletins followed a flurry of news about the arrest of Najibullah Zazi earlier in September.  After tailing Zazi for some time as he traveled between Denver, Pakistan, and New York, the FBI searched Zazi’s rental car and found handwritten instructions for building and detonating a bomb.

As an office building owner or office property manager, should you respond to news of law enforcement’s interest in Zazi and subsequent security bulletins?

Absolutely, says Chris Grniet, AIA, vice president with Kroll Security Group, a New York City-based security consultant who is experienced in securing iconic city buildings, such as the Sears Tower (recently renamed the Willis Tower).  Of course, the security director of a signature building would perk up at such news, but other owners and managers should take note as well.  “Alerts are always general,” he says. “The authorities won’t release specifics about intended targets.”

Suppose you manage a small office building in downtown Denver.  Are you at risk of being attacked by terrorists?  Probably not.  Still, news about a suspected terrorist with ties to Denver, combined with security bulletins designating mass transit, entertainment complexes, stadiums, and hotels as targets, should – at the very least – cause you to evaluate your neighbors.  Is there a four-star hotel down the street?  Are you across the block from the football stadium?  Is there a popular new development with restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping near you?  Is there a mass-transit station entrance on the sidewalk in front of your building?

Read full article here (as featured in Buildings > Security magazine)