Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response

Daryl Shanley Assistant Federal Security Director –Law Enforcement Federal Air Marshal Service Port Columbus International Airport

VIPR  What is it?

 Who runs it?

 Under what authority?

 Who participates?

 What does it target?

 The good  The bad  The ugly

VIPR  TSA Program  ATSA (Aviation and Transportation Security Act) created TSA and it’s authority in the transportation sectors  The Aviation and Transportation Security Act was enacted by the 107th United States Congress in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks . The Act created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation . However, with the passage of the Homeland Security Act , the TSA was later transferred to the Department of Homeland Security .

VIPR 

TSA Duties as defined in ATSA

 Additional Duties and Powers.--In addition to carrying out the functions specified in subsections (d) and (e), the Under Secretary shall-- ``(1) receive, assess, and distribute intelligence information related to transportation security; ``(2) assess threats to transportation; ``(3) develop policies, strategies, and plans for dealing with threats to transportation security; ``(4) make other plans related to transportation

security, including coordinating countermeasures with appropriate departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of

the United States Government; ``(5) serve as the primary liaison for transportation security to the intelligence and law enforcement communities;

VIPR  Modes of Transportation       Aviation Mass Transit Highway Pipeline Rail Maritime

VIPR  TSA serves as a “facilitator” and “force multiplier” during VIPR operations  National coordination and program support occurs at the TSA Joint Coordination Center in Washington D.C.

 TSA Office of Law Enforcement/Federal Air Marshal Service has primary operational control

VIPR  23 dedicated VIPR teams housed at various FAMS field offices  In addition to Federal Air Marshals, TSA Behavior Detection Officers (BDO) and Transportation Security Specialist-Explosives (TSS-E) are assigned to VIPR teams  Explosive detection K-9s, PRND, undercarriage inspection cameras may also be available

VIPR  VIPR Teams coordinate with local law enforcement and transportation security partners to conduct VIPR operations at all modes of transportation  Each team member exercises their own unique authority during a VIPR operation

VIPR  Primary goal  Provide a random, unpredictable, visible deterrent  We can all agree that both terrorists and criminals conduct various levels of surveillance on a “target” to gain insight into security procedures, weaknesses and vulnerabilities

VIPR  Mass Transit  Commuter/intra-city bus systems  Commuter/intra-city subway and rail systems  Inter-city bus (Greyhound)  Inter-city rail (AMTRAK)

VIPR  Large scale events covered by VIPR operations  Major sporting events-intel suggests terrorists consider major sporting events to be high value targets  Presidential Inauguration  Presidential/VIP visits

VIPR  Local VIPR success stories  Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority     Dedicated police department (GCRTA PD) with Anti-Terror Unit (started out as two officers and a Sgt) Light and heavy rail commuter system with a large, underground central hub (Tower City) Numerous bus shelters co-located in the center of downtown “Public Square” “Healthline” transiting the healthcare corridor

VIPR  Local VIPR success stories  Central Ohio Transit Authority-Columbus    Provides shuttle bus service to major sporting events such as Ohio State Football (100,000-150,000 spectators)  Red White and Boom (Columbus July 4 th celebration)  Shuttle bus service to within 1 block of stadium (chokepoint) Shuttle bus service into downtown, staging adjacent to the statehouse Off duty Columbus Police Officers provide law enforcement

VIPR  Local VIPR success stories  Cleveland and Toledo AMTRAK    Major lines servicing Chicago, NYC and D.C

Usually four trains (two eastbound, two westbound) per night Toledo AMTRAK station is serviced by a Greyhound bus stop

VIPR  Local VIPR success stories  Toledo Area Transit Authority   Off duty Toledo Police Officers Several bus stops adjacent to federal offices and state and local courthouses

VIPR  Local VIPR success stories TMI????

 Coast Guard and Ohio Dept of Natural Recourses marine patrols on Lake Erie (International Border) and Ohio River  CSX and NS rail yards  Army Corps of Engineers, USCG, Ohio EMA, ODNR Watercraft, lock and dam system along the Ohio River (classified as one of the largest inland ports in the US)  Ohio State Highway Patrol motor carrier (commercial truck) inspections  Natural Gas pipeline and compressor stations

VIPR  Lessons learned  ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALWAYS coordinate with, and have local law enforcement and law enforcement stakeholder (AMTRAK PD, NS, CSX PD, etc) present   Georgia AMTRAK Tennessee motor carrier stops

Questions?