Private Security, Public Interest: Private Security Measures for Counter Terrorism
When two airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center on a bustling New York Tuesday morning in 2001, soon followed by another plane crashing into the Pentagon and still another foiled attack that ended in a fiery crash in Pennsylvania, the world was forever changed. The immediate aftermath of these unprecedented terrorist attacks on U.S. soil yielded a total shutdown of U.S. airspace, a halt to the New York Stock Exchange and a near abandonment of federal office buildings. But, it was not the NYPD or even the NYFD that first responded to the blazing towers above New York. No, it was private security personnel stationed in the two buildings who became the first responders.
While counter terrorism efforts first belonged to the private security sector, they worked side by side with local and federal agencies to clean up the rubble left behind on 9/11. In the days, weeks, months and years following 9/11, it has become increasingly evident that effective counter terrorism requires a joint effort between the federal government, state and local law enforcement agencies, and the private sector.
The role of the private security sector in protecting the American people is significant. In fact, the 9/11 Commission cited that more than 85 percent of the country's critical infrastructure is protected by private security. Ironically, however, the federal government and the private security industry have rarely collaborated. Peter Ohlhausen noted in a policy report titled Private Security/Public Policing, "The need for complex coordination, extra staffing, and special resources after a terror attack, coupled with the significant demands of crime prevention and response, absolutely requires boosting the level of partnership between public policing and private security."
America is a big nation. In fact, it is huge. For counter terrorism effort...