Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response

Daryl ShanleyAssistant Federal Security Director –Law EnforcementFederal Air Marshal ServicePort Columbus International Airport

VIPRWhat is it?Who runs it?Under what authority?Who participates?What does it target?The goodThe badThe ugly

VIPRTSA 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.

VIPRTSA 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;

VIPRModes of Transportation

Aviation Mass Transit Highway Pipeline Rail Maritime

VIPRTSA 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

VIPR23 dedicated VIPR teams housed at various

FAMS field officesIn 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

VIPRVIPR 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

VIPRPrimary 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

VIPRMass Transit

Commuter/intra-city bus systems

Commuter/intra-city subway and rail systems

Inter-city bus (Greyhound)

Inter-city rail (AMTRAK)

VIPRLarge 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

VIPRLocal 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

VIPRLocal 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) Shuttle bus service to within 1 block of stadium

(chokepoint) Red White and Boom (Columbus July 4th celebration)

Shuttle bus service into downtown, staging adjacent to the statehouse

Off duty Columbus Police Officers provide law enforcement

VIPRLocal 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

VIPRLocal VIPR success stories

Toledo Area Transit Authority Off duty Toledo Police Officers Several bus stops adjacent to federal offices and

state and local courthouses

VIPRLocal 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 yardsArmy 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

VIPRLessons 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?