Week 1: Strengthening Local and State CT Capabilities
With the federal government’s loss of extensive counterterrorism (CT) access overseas, its ability to detect and disrupt terrorist plots before they reach U.S. soil has been severely diminished. This growing blind spot means threats are more likely to manifest within our own communities, making state and local law enforcement the first—and possibly only—line of defense. Proactively strengthening local CT capabilities is no longer just a precaution; it is now a necessity to prevent and respond to attacks before they unfold.
The necessity for local preparedness is underscored by past terrorist attacks with significant local impact, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks (166 killed), the 2005 London bombings (52 killed), the 2004 Madrid train bombings (193 killed), the 2015 Paris attacks (130 killed), and the 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel (over 1,200 killed). These incidents revealed critical gaps in law enforcement coordination, emergency response, and information sharing. To prevent similar failures, we must apply these lessons and strengthen local response capabilities before the next attack occurs.
Key Recommendations
Strengthening Local and State CT Capabilities
Increased Integration: Emergency services (police, fire, EMS) must improve coordination, ensuring seamless communication during crises. Agencies should evaluate whether local police can communicate directly with sheriffs via radio networks in real-time. Lessons from the 7/7 London bombings show that lack of real-time communication delayed responses, increasing casualties.
Enhanced Training Budgets: Increase time and resources for high-liability and hard-skills training, particularly to counter terrorist tactics in advanced urban warfare and other evolving methodologies. The 2008 Mumbai attacks demonstrated how small, well-trained terrorist teams could inflict mass casualties and overwhelm security forces that lacked the necessary training. To prevent a similar scenario, law enforcement must develop advanced shooting proficiency, master small-unit tactics, and train in coordinated movement and communication under fire—critical skills that could mean the difference between stopping an attack and being outmaneuvered.
Medical Preparedness: Statewide implementation of Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) training for all law enforcement officers and emergency responders. Entry-level personnel should at least receive Emergency First Responder training. The Paris 2015 attacks demonstrated the necessity of rapid medical response to minimize casualties in multi-site, high-casualty incidents.
Decentralized Command Structure: Field commanders and patrol units must operate under a "commander’s intent" model, allowing immediate decision-making without bureaucratic delays during terrorist incidents. The Madrid train bombings response highlighted the importance of rapid, on-the-ground decision-making without waiting for centralized approval.
Low-Profile Quick Reaction Forces (QRF): Establish 4-6-man QRF teams capable of proactive surveillance, detection, and rapid response, reducing reliance on full SWAT mobilization, which may be too slow for time-sensitive CT situations. These teams should be co-located when on shift operating in rotating 24/7 shifts, ensuring immediate deployment and maintaining a low profile to blend into civilian environments. The 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando highlighted the dangers of delayed SWAT response, while the 2023 Hamas attacks demonstrated how terrorists exploited freedom of movement in civilian areas. By combining rapid response with covert positioning, these units can neutralize threats before mass casualties occur.
HAZMAT Preparedness: Law enforcement and emergency response teams must maintain strong chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) detection and response capabilities to mitigate potential secondary effects of an attack. Following the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, many jurisdictions enhanced HAZMAT training, just as the U.S. did after 9/11. However, without a recent incident, complacency has set in. Local agencies must take proactive steps to ensure preparedness remains a priority, as casualties among first responders can severely hinder the ability to assist initial victims and contain the threat.
Expanding Specialized Capabilities
CT Tip Line & Follow-Up Mechanism: Establish state-level CT tiplines with a dedicated follow-up unit. Local authorities should have protocols to investigate and act on potential threats without solely deferring to federal agencies. Many tips regarding the Madrid bombings were not followed up on efficiently, demonstrating the necessity of proper investigative mechanisms.
Legal Authorities Expansion: In a terrorist incident, emergency powers give the state flexibility to quickly reallocate resources—whether additional police presence, medical teams, or specialized counterterrorism units—where they are needed most. Establishing these powers before an attack ensures a rapid response, preventing delays caused by bureaucratic constraints on resource allocation.
Citizen Involvement: Tap into the valuable expertise of community members with firsthand experience in terrorism, including Iraqis and Afghans who have relocated to the U.S. on Special Immigrant Visas, along with retired intelligence officers, diplomats, and law enforcement veterans. Engage them as local cultural advisors to strengthen community understanding and response. Create a counterterrorism-focused Citizen Academy program to provide a structure for individuals interested in supporting local efforts. This approach not only leverages critical local knowledge and experience but also cultivates a sense of community responsibility and preparedness, fostering a more resilient, informed public capable of contributing effectively to local response initiatives.
Veteran Integration: Utilize veterans' skills and experience by establishing pre-existing relationships between local agencies and veteran networks. Many veterans have direct experience in urban combat overseas and counterterrorism operations.
State and local agencies must take a proactive stance in counterterrorism operations, moving beyond a federal-first approach. By enhancing communication, coordination, training, medical preparedness, and information sharing, local jurisdictions can more effectively mitigate emerging threats and protect their communities. Lessons learned from overseas attacks should inform U.S. local CT strategies, helping to refine both preparedness and response plans. The time to act and prepare is now—before an incident occurs. Terrorists are advancing, and so must our capabilities and response.