01/08/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Anoka County Multi - Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan The FBI categorizes terrorism in the United States primarily as one of two types - domestic terrorism or international terrorism. Domestic terrorism, such as the bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are directed at elements of our government or population without foreign direction. International terrorism, such at the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are foreign -based and /or directed by countries or groups outside the U. S., or whose activities transcend national boundaries. Attacks can take many forms. They are all designed to terrorize citizens. While Anoka County has not experienced terrorist events, the county contains potential target sites for terrorist attack. The presence of these facilities places Anoka County at a high threat level for forms of terrorist attack. A terrorist event at these facilities would affect the entire county. Bioterrorism: In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, concerns about bio- terrorist attack involving smallpox prompted Minnesota health officials to develop a mass vaccination plan. Anoka County Community Health's plan was tested during an August, 2004 Strategic National Stockpile drill and subsequently revised response plans to address problems found during that exercise. During the outbreak of anthrax in the last months of 2001, local firefighters and law enforcement officers investigated several suspicious - looking substances, packages, and mail at a Department of Energy facility, private residences, businesses, a hospital, a post office, and a school. Though all tests were negative, decontamination procedures were initiated at a school and post office. Planned Parenthood received one of several hundred fake anthrax letters mailed by an anti - abortion extremist. The probability of future events exists. The county and its municipalities are at equal risk of Bioterrorism. Bomb Threats: The Northtown Mall was the target of a bomb explosion that damaged the mall but caused no injuries. Though none have been found credible, bomb threats by telephone are becoming an increasing problem for schools and government throughout Anoka County. Bethel, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Lexington, Lino Lakes and St. Francis all experienced multiple terrorist bomb or anthrax threats. All of which are considered domestic in nature. The majority of threats involved schools. A number of the incidents involve actual pipe bombs being found. In 2001 several Anthrax hoax letters were reported. The incident of domestic terrorist threats is decreasing. Cvber- terrorism: Several facilities in Anoka County have been affected by computer viruses and attempted system entry by "hackers." Improved virus detection capability and system security safeguards have reduced the threat of cyber- terrorism for Anoka County's larger industrial and government facilities. Smaller businesses and jurisdictions throughout the entire county remain at future risk of this hazard.