Courtroom Security

United States Marshals Service District of Wyoming

RECENT EVENTS

    2/28/05 - Federal District Judge Joan Lefkow family murdered in Chicago.

3/8/05 - Threatening letter sent to federal judge in Ohio.

3/9/05 - Man sentenced in federal court to 262 months for threatening letters.

3/11/05 – Fulton County, Georgia, Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes murdered.

    3/13/05 - Federal judge in Florida threatened via telephone answering machine.

3/20/05 - United States Attorney threatened in Utah.

3/25/05 – Richard Meywes offered $300,000.00 to kill Michael Schiavo and Florida Circuit Court Judge George Greer.

3/28/05 - 24 Judicial officers threatened in some manner during the Terri Schiavo case in Florida.

Courtroom Security

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Functions

Search Courtrooms Monitor Attendees

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Court Security Surveys

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Court Security Plan

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Risk Levels

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Communications

Screen Spectators/Participants

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Walk Thru Metal Detector

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Hand Held Metal Detector (Beaver Tail)

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Security Pat-Down

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Secondary Screening

   All people in custody think of escape at one time or another.

Some prisoners think and plan escapes 24/7.

Get out of the courtroom and lock yourself in your chambers.

95% of ESCAPES

Can be attributed to: IMPROPER SEARCHES IMPROPER APPLICATION OF RESTRAINTS!

or

Courthouse Security Functions

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Screen Incoming Personnel

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Court Security Surveys

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Security Briefings

TRAVELING DEFENSIVELY BY AIR

Presented by the

U.S. Marshals Service

Judicial Security Division

Making Travel Arrangements

• • • • Do not use title or office address on tickets, travel documents, or hotel reservations Select window seat; they offer more protection since aisle seats would be closer to a hijacker’s movements up and down the aisle Rear seats also offer more protection since they are generally farther from the center of hostile action which is often near cockpit Seats near emergency exit may offer

Personal Identification

• • Consider use of a tourist passport, if you have one, with the necessary visas (if country you are visiting allows such) If traveling on tourist passport, consider placing your government passport, official identification, and related documents in your checked baggage. Avoid carrying such documentation on your person or in briefcase

Personal Identification

• • If you must carry official documents on your person, select a hiding place to ditch them in an emergency (e.g. under seat cushion, lavatory trash, in socks or underwear) Ensure luggage tags do not show your official title

Precautions at the Airport

• • • • Look for nervous passengers who maintain eye contact with others from a distance (often these folks work in teams). Note behavior not consistent with others in the area.

Always have an idea of where cover is in the event of an attack (e.g. pillars, large planters, counters, etc.) Do not linger near open public places Avoid secluded areas that provide concealment for attackers

Precautions at the Airport

• • • Be aware of unattended baggage anywhere in the terminal.

Watch people. If you see somebody put down baggage and suspiciously walk away, leave the immediate area.

Report suspicious activity to airport security personnel

Actions If Attacked

• • • Dive for cover. Do not run If you must move, use the low crawl or roll. Stay low to the ground, using available cover.

Place arms and elbows near rib cage to protect lungs, heart, and chest. Cover your ears and head with your hands to protect neck arteries, ears, and skull.

Actions If Attacked

• • Responding security personnel will not be able to distinguish you from the attackers. Do not attempt to assist them in any way. Lie still until directed to do otherwise by security personnel If you hear the sound of rhythmic, coup de grace gunfire, you may need to make a run for it.

Actions If Hijacked

• • • Remain calm, be polite and cooperative with your captors Be aware that all hijackers may not reveal themselves at the same time. They may have backup. A lone hijacker may be used to draw out security personnel for neutralization Surrender your passport in response to a general demand for such identification by the hijackers

Actions If Hijacked

• • • Discretely dispose of any U.S. related documents Do not offer any information. Confirm your official position if directly confronted with the fact.

Be prepared to advise the hijackers that you always travel on your personal passport, and that no deceit was intended.

Actions If Hijacked

• • • Do not draw attention to yourself through sudden body movements, verbal remarks, or hostile body language Prepare yourself for possible verbal or physical abuse; and lack of food, drink or sanitary conditions If permitted, read sleep, or write to occupy your time

Actions If Hijacked

• • • Discretely observe your captors and get a thorough physical description. Include voice patterns, language distinctions, clothing, and unique physical characteristics.

Cooperate with any rescue attempt. Lie on the floor until told to rise by security personnel Be one of the many, and not one of the few!!!

RESIDENTIAL SECURITY

Presented by the

U.S. Marshals Service

Judicial Security Division

Dangers at Residence

    All three Federal judges murdered since 1979, were killed at their residences The wife of a federal judge ate poisoned candy received at the residence Residential burglary, and even robbery, is not an uncommon crime Being at home naturally brings down one’s guard

Tips For The Family At Home

     Restrict possession of house keys Lock all entrances, especially at night Destroy envelopes, items that reflect your name and official position Develop friendly relationships with neighbors Arrange for an unlisted telephone number

Tips For The Family At Home

  Be cautious of profile information on Internet. Caution children on personal disclosure in chat rooms and message boards.

Have all valuables engraved or marked. Consider not using social security numbers

Be Alert and Suspicious

      Be alert to persons (e.g. utility company employees) trying to gain residential access (check identification through peephole).

Contact the utility company if suspicious Be alert to peddlers and strangers Write down license numbers of suspicious strangers; note occupants descriptions Refuse unordered packages (no exceptions) Never eat candy or foodstuffs delivered to residence from unknown source

Be Alert and Suspicious

    Treat with suspicion all inquiries about whereabouts or activities of other family members Report all suspicious activity to USMS and/or local police Never accept the premise of coincidence or innocent mistake Your schema should always provide for a state of relaxed alertness

Be Alert and Suspicious

   Be alert to unexpected changes in and around your home. Be suspicious if something has been moved, left unlocked, or does not look right Know who belongs in your neighborhood and who does not. Familiarize yourself with neighborhood vehicles, noting where they are normally parked Set up a mutual assistance/lookout system with your neighbors, even if only informal

Be Alert and Suspicious

   If doors have a glass panel nearby, consider installation of double cylinder deadbolt locks to prevent intrusion by breaking window and opening door from the inside Storm and screen doors do not afford any degree of security. They are only meant to be weather barrier Install smoke alarms, fire detectors, and carbon monoxide alarms in your residence. Have fire extinguishers in several locations

When Going Out

      Avoid high risk areas Vary movements so as not to be predictable Dress, mannerisms, and conduct should not attract attention. Avoid expensive, flashy jewelry in public Use valet parking to reduce exposure Be inconspicuous Avoid public demonstrations; do not be curious

Telephone Security

    Post emergency numbers on or near all telephones Never answer phone with name or official title Report all threatening phone calls immediately to the USMS and local police Never give out unnecessary information to any unknown caller. Especially instruct children not to do so under any circumstances

Telephone Security

    Know the difference in your area between *57 and *69 Consider having a wireless phone in a known location for emergency use. Ensure it is charged Ensure that all telephones in the house are unlisted/unpublished If recently appointed to bench, and phone number was listed prior to that, change to a new number

Mail Security

    Consider having mail sent to office address to take advantage of X-ray screening at courthouse Consider use of a P.O. Box address as a buffer between you and your actual address. Also would help prevent theft of identity Consider use of courthouse address, with USMS assistance, for driver’s license and vehicle registration Be aware of the amount of information available on the Internet to the public

Special Precautions for Children

   Never leave young children alone or unattended. Be certain when they are left, it is in the company of a trustworthy, responsible person Instruct children to keep all doors and windows locked, and to NEVER admit a stranger or unexpected guest.

Teach children how to contact police or neighbors in an emergency

Special Precautions for Children

    If it is necessary to leave children at home, keep the house well lighted and notify your neighbors Know where all your children are at all times (morning, afternoon and evening).

Consider purchase of popular walkie talkies, now available to consumers, for your children An emergency wireless phone should also be considered

Special Precautions for Children

 Advise your children to: – Never leave home without advising a parent of where they are going and with whom they will be – Travel in pairs or groups – Walk along busy streets and avoid isolated areas – Use play areas where recreational areas are supervised by responsible adults and where police protection is reasonably available – Refuse automobile rides from strangers; always refuse to accompany strangers anywhere (even

Suspicious Packages or Mail

 Suspicious characteristics to look for: – An unusual or unknown place of origin – No return address – An excessive amount of postage – Abnormal or unusual size – Oily stain on the package – Wires or strings protruding from or attached to an item – Incorrect spelling on a package label – Differing return address and postmark

Suspicious Packages or Mail

 Suspicious characteristics to look for: – Appearance of foreign style handwriting – Peculiar odor (many explosives smell like almonds or shoe polish) – Unusual heaviness or lightness – Uneven balance or shape – Springiness in the top, bottom or sides – Never cut tape, strings, or other wrappings on a suspicious package – Never immerse a suspicious letter or package in water

Suspicious Packages or Mail

  Suspicious characteristics to look for: – Restrictive markings such as “confidential”, “addressee only”, or “personal” – Visual distractions on letters or packages Actions to take upon encountering a suspicious package or letter: – Never touch or move a suspicious package or letter – Immediately report any suspicious packages or mail to the local USMS office and/or the local police department

Domestic Employees

    Conduct a thorough review of references Consider a background investigation by a private investigations agency Inform domestic employees about security responsibilities Instruct the employees as to which phones or means of communication to use in an emergency

Security Precautions When You Are Away

      Leave the house with a “lived in” look Have a trusted neighbor frequent the house, especially to remove unsolicited fliers, coupons, etc.

Stop all deliveries of mail, newspapers, etc. to the house Do not leave notes on doors Do not hide keys outside the home Ensure mowing of lawn, shoveling of snow

Security Precautions When You Are Away

    Use a timer to turn lights on and off at varying times and locations. Radios and televisions can also be very useful to enhance the appearance somebody is home Do not leave a voice mail/answering machine message that you will be out of town Hide valuables (e.g. jewelry in remote area of darkened basement) Notify police and other trusted neighbors of your absence

Security Precautions When You Are Away

    Consider use of a recorded tape of dog randomly barking. These can be bought Leave contact phone number with neighbor and police in event of emergency Lock garage door with the interior lock Consider exterior motion detector lighting

Residential Security

  Exterior grounds: – Do not put your name on the outside of your house or your mailbox. Use 3" reflective numbers on the sides of mailbox – Have good exterior lighting. All entrances lit from dusk to dawn – Control vegetation to eliminate hiding places, particularly around windows and entranceways Entrances and exits should have: – Solid door (minimum 1 3/4") with deadbolt locks – One-way peep holes in doors – Bars and locks on skylights

Residential Security

  Equip glass doors and windows with interior release mechanisms that are not reachable from the outside Interior features: – Anti-intrusion alarm system – Smoke detectors, heat sensors hard wired into home electrical system (with battery backup) – Intercom systems – Fire extinguishers in several known locations (particularly in kitchen) – Medical and first aid equipment known locations

Residential Security

   Other desirable features: – A clear view of approaches to residence – More than one access road – Off-street parking (preferably garage type) Consider a dog Have flashlights prepositioned at several known locations within the residence. Replace batteries regularly. Have supply of batteries available.

Residential Security

    Ensure window treatments, particularly those on ground floor, provide desired degree of privacy. Use curtains or blinds at night Reinforce basement windows with decorative bars or polycarbonate Advise the local police department of your address and occupation Consider installation of a professional anti- intrusion alarm system. Consider motion detector alarm for upper level of house when turning in for the night

Residential Security

     Ensure all access doors have no outside hinges. Rehang doors if necessary Double hung windows should be pinned to prevent from being pried open Strike plates minimum of 3" should be installed for all entry doors Sliding glass doors should have screws installed in upper track to prevent lifting and removal Consider upgrading automatic garage door opener to one preventing code determination

Residential Security

     Consider placing of placards advising of alarm system, even if an alarm system is not present Test home alarm system monthly Important outside buildings should be treated as the primary residence structure. Secure all outside ladders all the time Consider emergency power supply A residence should always be stocked as in in preparation for hurricane or blizzard

Judicial Personal Profile:

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An important element of your security

This should be completed when requested by the USMS Judicial officer should make necessary updates as appropriate (e.g. new residence, addition to family) This information is securely maintained by the USMS

WORKPLACE SECURITY AND SAFETY

Presented by the

U.S. Marshals Service

Judicial Security Division

Security Is Your Job Too!

 You are vulnerable simply in your position as a Government employee  There are more anti-Government groups and individuals in our society today  Random criminal assaults and crimes of opportunity can occur in the workplace  Domestic violence can spill over into the workplace

Security Is Your Job Too!

 The reality is no law enforcement officer can completely protect you  You must be part of the security process

Two Questions To Ask Yourself

 Can I do anything about becoming a victim of violence or crime at work?

 Can I do more about telephoned threats and possible mail bombs?

The answer to these two questions is a resounding YES!

USMS Responsibilites:

       Security of the Federal courts and Federal court employees: By means of building entrance security Interior roving patrols Exterior roving patrols Personal security as necessary Intelligence coordination with law enforcement agencies Preventive education

Security At Building Entrances

  The security of the multitude of entrances/exits to the courthouse is the first line of defense Multitude of entrances can consist of: – Regular public entrances – Vehicle entrances – Employee entrances – Emergency exits – Handicap entrances – Freight entrances

Security At Building Entrances

   Perimeter defenses can be bolstered by employees: – Using only authorized entrances and exits – Not using fire or freight exits except in emergencies – Not holding unsecured entrances open for unknown persons Always report immediately any emergency exits standing open or propped open.

Immediately report broken ground floor windows

Parking Garages

 Report all suspicious matters immediately! Such as: – Someone trying to gain entry to parked cars – Anyone carrying suspicious packages into garage – A portion of the garage in darkness (could be intentional) – Anyone who appears to be seeking unauthorized entry into the garage or any building entrance – Never allow an unknown person to travel down the public elevator with you into the secure garage area – Always report the presence of an unknown person in the garage area, who appears to have no legitimate business there

Employee Identification

   Perimeter defenses can be bolstered byAlways visibly wear your employee identification  Never use your employee identification card to allow access for other visitors, family, or friends Never loan your identification card to anyone Promptly report loss of theft of your employee identification

Security Inside Buildings

 Managers: – Install deadbolt locking devices on office doors leading to hallways and public areas – Issue and control keys. Conduct semi-annual inventories.

– Have locks immediately changed when keys are missing or when an employee is fired – Change combinations on key punch locks regularly, or immediately after an employee is fired – Have offices cleaned during the day. Cleaning personnel should not have access to security alarms or authorization to enable/disable alarms

Security Inside Buildings

 Ensure each work area maintains an emergency contact file for employees, with emphasis on medical concerns

Other Suggestions

  Make sure you know the location of emergency alarms in your office area Do not allow visitors into secure areas if you are uncomfortable with doing so   Do not allow persons visiting one office to have access to other office areas Immediately report persons who appear unannounced in your work area or who say they “opened the wrong door”

Other Suggestions

 Do not admit unexpected repairpersons or delivery persons without checking with office manager  Ask strangers in your work area for identification or promptly call security desk. Get a physical description of person and clothing  Keep all security doors locked at all times (especially doors leading from public areas to secure areas)

Other Suggestions

  Radios and other valuable personal items should be secured at the end of the workday Personal items of substantial value should not be brought to the workplace   Never provide PIN numbers to any callers who may say they are from your bank or credit card company, especially just after the theft of your wallet or purse Be alert for strange objects and packages. Keep your office area neat to effect this

Other Suggestions

    When working late, lock all doors, even those in secure areas.

Never advertise you will be working alone, except to let security know of your continued presence Assailants often hide in women’s restrooms. Think personal security before entering restrooms. Use all your senses Consider going to restrooms in pairs after hours. Check stalls if possible

Other Suggestions

 Never touch or disturb a strange object or package. Call security immediately.

Bomb Threats/Personal Threats

    Most threats are by telephone Number of threats is increasing Anybody can receive the threatening call. Know what you are going to do in advance. Do not panic Use the pre-printed forms for bomb threats and personal threats   Try to write down exactly what caller says Ask the questions the pre-printed forms ask you to. Often callers will actually answer them

Bomb Threats/Personal Threats

  Pay careful attention to the caller’s references to: – Names of those threatened – Time or nature of threatened assault – Locations of purported bombs and times of detonations – Determine caller’s age, sex, ethnicity, background noises, whether voice is familiar Every bit of information you provide could literally be the clue which leads investigators to the caller

Bombs and Suspicious Packages and Letters

   Never assume an X-ray machine will be totally effective in detecting explosives in incoming packages  Never assume that even packages delivered directly by Postal Service or FEDEX/UPS, have been screened or are safe Open all packages and letters with care Be able to recognize suspicious packages

Bombs and Suspicious Packages and Letters

 Never be complacent about possible dangers: – What if security personnel make a mistake?

– What if detection equipment fails?

– What if clever packaging precludes detection of explosives?

– What if terrorist has false but credible appearing ID card that enables him/her to bypass security?

 Mistakes can and do happen! Be vigilant!

Recognition Points for Possible letter or Parcel Bombs

      Oily stains or discolorations No return address Excessive weight An envelope that is rigid An envelope that is lopsided or uneven Wires or tinfoil protruding from the envelope or package

Recognition Points for Possible letter or Parcel Bombs

     Excessive masking tape, string, or other wrappings Foreign mail, special delivery, and air mail Restrictive markings such as “personal”, “confidential”, “to be opened by addresse only” Excessive postage Addresses that are handwritten or poorly typed

Recognition Points for Possible letter or Parcel Bombs

 Titles that are incorrect  A title but no name  Misspellings of common words  Visual distractions on letters or parcels

If You See A Suspicious Object Or Package:

   It is better to be safe than sorry. Do not let a feeling of foolishness prevent you from making notifications.

 Call the security desk and/or local police immediately !

Do not touch or move the suspicious object or package You are risking your life, and the lives of others, by throwing caution to the wind and opening a suspicious package

Evacuation Of A Federal Facility

 Know the evacuation procedure for your building  Follow instructions carefully in event of fire, bomb threat, or other emergency  Know your role if you are assigned evacuation duties pursuant to the occupant emergency plan  Evacuate your office and floor at once if ordered to do so by competent authority  Never assume it is only a false alarm

Evacuation Of A Federal Facility

 Prepare yourself for an emergency in advance: – Locate all fire/emergency exits in your building – Locate the fire alarm boxes on your floor and learn how to activate them – Discuss with your “emergency floor warden” the proper procedures to be followed or how you might assist in a crisis

In Event Of A Fire:

  If you see smoke or fire, pull the fire alarm and call 911 If you hear the alarm, check the hall for safe exit     Notify and assist co-workers and visitors Exit quickly by the nearest or assigned stairs Keep office and stairway doors closed Do not reenter the building until fire department advises the building allows such

Bomb Threat:

  Keep the caller on the line Obtain as much information as possible – Use one of the fill in the blanks forms  Have a coworker call 911 from another phone   Notify the building security desk at once Do not touch suspicious objects