Terrorism And The Threat To Milwaukee

 

Photo Credit: Dan Lampariello

  On April 15, the United States of America suffered the first successful terrorist attack on innocent civilians in the homeland since 9/11. The gruesome images from the Boston Marathon bombing will be forever engrained in the minds of Americans. As the investigation into the suspected terrorists moves forward, one thing is clear; the bombers were radicalized Muslims who blended into American society. FBI sources say that the bombers’ methods, techniques, and training are sophisticated enough to suggest they may be part of a larger sleeper cell organization, with possible ties to Al-Qaeda. Sleeper cells can go undetected or overlooked in any American city, including right here in Milwaukee. If terrorist sleeper cells that have blended into society become active, is Milwaukee safe? 

  To answer that question, one must look at factors of metropolitan preparedness, risk analysis, and Milwaukee’s methods of risk mitigation. Emergency preparedness for a terrorist event, accident, or natural hazard is the first line of defense in minimizing potential for loss of life and property. Emergency management officials say that every citizen should have basic items on hand in the event of an emergency, such as water, food, and first aid kits. In extreme emergencies, Milwaukee metropolitan counties would operate under an incident command system to coordinate efforts. Mutual aid agreements, protocols, and standardized operations exist to mobilize local, state, and federal resources as needed. First responders of every county have training in responding to any emergency event, including a terrorist attack, and participate in drills to recreate the chaos following a terrorist event. 

  Most wouldn’t think of Wisconsin as a potential Al-Qaeda target; however the marathon bombings show us that any event in any city is a potential target for people who are indiscriminant in killing. Wisconsin Homeland Security has dealt with droughts, floods, and hazardous accidents in the past, and recognizes the risk of terrorism in Wisconsin. Wisconsin has a reputation as an agricultural center, and proximity to Chicago and Minneapolis add additional risk to Wisconsin population centers. Because 5 of the 10 largest cities in Wisconsin are in the Milwaukee metro area, these population centers put Southeast Wisconsin at a greater risk for a terrorist attack. Risks include Wisconsin’s critical infrastructure, public gathering sites, large water systems, utilities, agriculture industry, and critical manufacturing sites. A Wisconsin Hazards Vulnerability Report uses factors such as probability, preparedness, and impact to create a relative threat risk. The relative threat risk to Milwaukee metro for a radiological attack is 63%, which is lower than the multiple vehicle highway accident relative threat of 52%. An influenza pandemic received the highest relative threat score of 81%. Officials maintain that the largest threats to the Milwaukee metro are influenza pandemics, rail accidents, and extreme weather. 

  Terrorism and sleeper cell potential has prompted authorities to take a proactive stance on risk mitigation. Waukesha County Emergency Management Coordinator William Stolte explains that Waukesha County trains first responders to maintain situational awareness in a terrorist event, including awareness on secondary devices and hazards. Sheboygan County conducts frequent drills and exercises under county Director of Emergency Management Steven Steinhardt. One exercise included the annual NASCAR Nationwide event hosted in the county. 

  Event planning is key in minimizing security risks at public gatherings. Steve Fronk, Milwaukee Director of Emergency Management helps event organizers with security. Fronk also leads a group called Urban Area Security Initiative, a federal grant program for 5 metro counties to assess security risks and potential regional impacts. Any response to a terrorist attack would be event dependent. Specifics of response plans were not given to protect first responders. However, the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department doesn’t believe security and event planning were the issues in Boston. The Sheriff’s Department is concerned with the lack of intelligence coming out of local fusion centers, which relay information to authorities. Sheriff David Clarke believes there are mounting counterterror intelligence issues. This comes after the grant program designated to Milwaukee for terrorism response was cut due to federal risk analysis. With decreased federal funding for local intelligence gathering, authorities must rely on a vigilant and aware public. WI Watch is a local program where citizens are urged to report any suspicious activity to counter terrorist threats. WI Watch, in conjunction with federal programs like the ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign urges the public to report suspicious activities and behavior to authorities. An aware public is the best way to minimize terror related risks. 

  The Milwaukee metropolitan area uses preparedness, risk assessments, and first responder training to prepare for emergency situations. The cooperation between metro counties ensures Milwaukee is a generally safe city. However, after the terrorist attack in Boston and ensuing manhunt which shut the city down, officials are not willing to downplay terrorist risks to the Milwaukee area. Increased security measures in neighboring Chicago may make the Milwaukee area a more attractive target for terrorist sleeper cells. A vigilant and aware public may just be the deterrent needed to avoid terrorism in Milwaukee. If you see any suspicious activities or behavior, report it to 1-877-WIWATCH. Together, we can minimize the risk of terrorism and keep the Milwaukee metro area safe.

Freedom Weekly, April 2013 Vol. 003 Issue 009

"Terrorism And The Threat To Milwaukee" Special Thanks

Most of the information obtained for the article "Terrorism And The Threat To Milwaukee" was obtained through the cooperation of the following individuals and organizations.  On behalf of Freedom Weekly and myself, I thank you for your time in answering questions on Emergency Preparedness!

Milwaukee County Sheriffs Department

Milwaukee Police Department

Waukesha County Emergency Management

Wisconsin Emergency Management

Wisconsin Department of Homeland Security

Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services

Mark Stanmeyer
Sergeant, Milwaukee Police Department

Lori Getter
Crisis Communications Manager, Wisconsin Emergency Management

William Stolte
Coordinator, Waukesha County Emergency Management

Fran McLaughlin
Public Information Officer, Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office

Steven Steinhardt
Director of Emergency Management, Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department

Edward Van Tine
Director of Emergency Management, Kenosha County Sheriff's Department

Steven Fronk
Director, City of Milwaukee Emergency Management and Homeland Security

The 2016 Dark Horse

  After a tough election loss, a political party’s pride can be momentarily deflated.  To invigorate party pride, chatter begins about possible candidates for the next election cycle.  Even well before the midterm elections, both the Republicans and Democrats are on a quest to find their 2016 presidential candidates.  Yet there is a lot of time between now and the midterms, much less the presidential election.  While the most obvious choice for Democrats at this point is Hillary Clinton, similar to 2008, there very well could be a dark horse to come into the picture and edge out other leading candidates.  The Republican Party may very well have its own dark horse candidate who will win GOP nomination, and he is right here in America’s Dairyland. 

  Governor Scott Walker could potentially be the dark horse Republican nominee for the 2016 presidential election.  Elected in 2010, Scott Walker will face reelection in 2014.  The left will once again try their hardest to oust the governor.  Despite the left’s best efforts, Governor Walker won the vote in 60 out of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.  Wisconsin may have gone ‘blue’ in November with Baldwin and Obama, but the GOP gained majority in the state assembly and senate.  These conservative leaning trends make it unlikely the Governor will be unseated.  That does not mean reelection will be easy.  But Scott Walker is certainly a fighter, and a winner at that.  The Governor will be ready for the national stage, and the progressives may have actually helped him with the national exposure during the recall elections. 

             

  Scott Walker would pose a great threat to the Democrat presidential nominee, and would be more likely to run a winning campaign any other candidate.  He poses a triple threat to the Democrats: personality, ideals, and accomplishments.  Scott Walker is approachable, listens to the opinions of others, and easily relatable to the everyday American.  Walker also has the tough skin required to be on the forefront of controversy.  Situations where progressives run and hide in other states like fugitives, Walker admirably takes up the fight.  He fights for what he believes is right without ignoring dissenting opinions.  His political ideology and supporting arguments may be exactly what the Republicans need.  With so much GOP infighting, Scott Walker has the ability to unify the party with his modern Reaganesque views.  Walker’s ideology takes shape through his practical approach to problem solving and willingness to roll up his sleeves to get things done.  Walker fought the union fat cats by ending collective bargaining, and again by winning the recall election.  He supports legislation that adheres to fairness like the voter ID bill.  Walker opened Wisconsin for business, which was greatly suffering under his predecessor Jim Doyle.  In 2010, Walker made a pledge to create 250,000 jobs.  He is well on his way with nearly 70,000 jobs created, with far more to come by infrastructure investments, reformed education, and the passage of the mining bill.  Scott Walker has a proven track record of which to proudly stand by.  

  Governor Scott Walker offers all of the right qualities that our nation deserves in a president.  While many are touting libertarians like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, they lack the unifying nature that a candidate like Walker has.  Andrea Tantaros, cohost of The Five on Fox News, subtly touched on this point by saying she liked the Wisconsin governor during a discussion on potential 2016 candidates.  Much like Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Scott Walker is more likely to go after every vote rather than segmenting voters into winnable and non-winnable blocs.  It’s time we get an executive back in the White House.  Should Governor Scott Walker decide to run for the Republican presidential nomination, Wisconsinites may have to start sending Christmas cards for the governor to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Scott Walker could be a true dark horse candidate in 2016 should he decide to run.  President Scott Walker.  What pride a Wisconsinite would feel hearing that every day!

Freedom Weekly, April 10, 2013 Vol. 003 Issue 008