Gordon Graham
Category: Law Enforcement

Gordon Graham with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip concerns strategies designed to disrupt vehicle attacks. Vehicle ramming suspects will look for soft targets. You’ve heard about target hardening. Let’s look at how it applies here.

Vehicle ramming attacks can be carried out by terrorists, drunk drivers, or motorists overcome by road rage. The result is the same. Innocent people are injured or killed.  

A potential target will have both pedestrian movement and vehicle access. The original facility design didn’t consider the possibility of a vehicle attack. You want to reduce the potential for someone to run over pedestrians. A comprehensive site assessment can help identify vulnerabilities.  

Start by defining where pedestrians and vehicles interact, like large intersections near shops and restaurants, and wide sidewalks next to busy streets. Evaluate traffic patterns near the venue. Implement strategies that reduce vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian safety.  

When it’s possible, restrict all vehicular traffic through controlled and secure pedestrian areas. Establish separate ingress and egress routes for delivery and service vehicles. 

Evaluate the need for robust vehicle barriers. Consider clear standoff zones that use physical barriers to separate large crowds and moving vehicles. Also, consider the use of remote parking with shuttle services. This can reduce large groups of pedestrians in or near vehicle routes. 

Use large trucks or other heavy vehicles as barricades if appropriate. Remember that parked vehicles along the curb provide a physical barrier between pedestrians and vehicles. 

Vehicle ramming attacks can be carried out by terrorists, drunk drivers, or motorists overcome by road rage. The result is the same. Innocent people are injured or killed. Conduct a proper security assessment. Identify vulnerabilities. A comprehensive site analysis assists with protecting the communities we serve.  

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.