From “Homeland Security’s Terror Warning for NJ Hospitals and Hotels”
New Jersey 101.5 (03/27/2017) Matthau, David. Reprinted by ASIS.
As authorities continue to investigate last week’s terror attack outside the British Parliament, homeland security officials in the United States are advising the public to be vigilant. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is calling on hospitals, hotels, and motels to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Eric Tysarczyk, the director of policy and planning for the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, stressed no specific, credible threat has been made against any of these areas in New Jersey. However, hospitals are considered potential terror targets because they have open access and they are mass gathering sites. Tysarczyk notes some hospitals have chemicals and devices that could interest terrorist attackers, and hospitals play a prominent role in prevention and protection, which might also catch the attention of those planning an attack. He says the public should remain vigilant and report anomalies such as people wearing bulky coats inappropriately and congregating around delivery docks when they are not making deliveries. He says the first point of information should be either the security guard or the local police, adding that it is better to report a situation that does not pose a threat than to fail to report an actual threat.
Gregory M. Schmidt, CPP, PSP, CHPA 