Preparation

Intelligence

Since September 11, 2001, the North Miami Beach Police Department has enhanced its intelligence capabilities by creating a Homeland Security Office within the department. Members of the department work closely with local, state and federal task forces that specialize in obtaining, analyzing and disseminating information on current terrorist activity, as well as investigating reports of suspicious activity and incidents that may be related to terrorist threats, etc.

Our Homeland Security personnel also provide training related to terrorist prevention and response to other members of the department and the community.

Planning

The North Miami Beach Police Department has developed a comprehensive plan to prepare for and respond to a terrorist attack which includes:

Equipment

The North Miami Beach Police Department strives to purchase or obtain a wide range of equipment needed to respond effectively to a terrorist attack, including personal protective equipment, chemical and biological detection systems, inter-operable communications gear, incident command post vehicles and police canines trained in detecting hazardous material and explosives.

Training

The North Miami Beach Police Department provides resources to train police officers and other emergency and support personnel to respond to and operate in terrorist related incidents or disasters. Our personnel are highly trained in various aspects of a terrorist incident response in such areas as:

  • Emergency Operations Center Management
  • Incident Command System
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS)
  • Weapons of Mass Destruction

Our department also has personnel trained and certified in the aspects of assessing the vulnerabilities of our critical infrastructures using the Homeland Security Comprehensive Assessment Model also known as HLS-CAM. This process has been adopted statewide by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and nationwide by the Department of Homeland Security.

The HLS-CAM process involves five steps:

  • The Threat Assessment determines the likelihood that, given the current intelligence or designated federal, state, or local threat levels, a specific target will be subject to terrorist or hostile criminal attack.
  • The Criticality Assessment determines the overall impact of a terrorist attack on a given target.
  • The M/D-SHARPP matrix is used to analyze criminal and/or terrorist targets that have been identified through the Community Threat Assessment and Criticality Assessment.
  • The Community Priority Assessment Plan is derived from the Criticality Assessment and the M/D-SHARPP Matrix and is used to determine the order of priority for the vulnerability assessment of critical facilities, infrastructure, and events as identified during the Community Threat Assessment.
  • The Vulnerability Assessment provides security observations to unveil facility security vulnerabilities.

Some of the areas that are considered in the HLS-CAM vulnerability assessments are:

  • Access control
  • Perimeter barriers and fencing.
  • Security lighting.
  • Intrusion detection equipment.
  • Alternative external communications capability for continuity of operations.
  • Increased number of uniformed and plainclothes police patrols of the facilities.
  • HAZMAT training for personnel.
  • Increased number and frequency of bomb detecting canine teams.
  • Video surveillance of the facilities.
  • Procurement of personal protective equipment for emergency responders.

Public Awareness

The North Miami Beach Police Department has developed and implemented employee and public awareness campaigns and programs addressing terrorist threats and response.

Exercises

The North Miami Beach Police Department participates and supports coordinated, regular exercise programs to improve response capabilities, practice mutual aid, and assess operational improvements and deficiencies.

Response

The North Miami Beach Police Department has partnered with various agencies and its counterparts in the law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management communities on a local, state and national level to ensure an appropriate response to any potential terrorist incident.

Responder readiness to manage and conduct terrorist incident actions is significantly enhanced if professionals have worked together before an incident. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) recognizes this basic principle and encourages advance preparedness measures such as planning, training, exercises, qualification and certification, equipment acquisition and certification, and publication management. Preparedness also incorporates mitigation activities such as public education, enforcement of building standards and codes, and preventive measures to deter or lessen the loss of life or property.

Recovery

North Miami Beach Police Department personnel will assist with post-incident recovery efforts which are intended to return the community and its citizens to normal conditions. These efforts include:

  • Provide scene security.
  • Mitigate existing hazards.
  • Assist with damage assessment.
  • Reconstitute government operations and services.
  • Develop initiatives to mitigate the effects of future incidents.

Conclusion

The North Miami Beach Police Department will, through its Homeland Security Section and Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, continue to address the threat of terrorism and any potential attacks against Critical Infrastructures within our community. By strengthening our prevention and preparedness efforts for terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies we will develop appropriate levels of response to these types of incidents.

Our department is continually assessing the vulnerabilities of our critical infrastructures and increasing our investment in their security by continuing to take important steps to identify and assure the protection of key assets and services within our jurisdiction.

Contact Us

For more information on our Critical Infrastructure Protection program, please contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 305-948-2955.