(NewsNation) — As hundreds of thousands of Individuals put together to have fun this Fourth of July vacation weekend, authorities throughout the nation are on alert for potential lone wolf attacks.
Ongoing international conflicts, in addition to doable copycats, have prompted a discover from federal legislation enforcement businesses urging the general public to remain vigilant.
Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffendaffer informed NewsNation that lone wolf assaults are the most typical kind of terrorism within the U.S.
“Should you look over the previous 5 years, 93% of assaults within the West have been by lone wolves,” she mentioned.
Federal businesses throughout the nation are telling folks to remember, with essentially the most concern about that lone wolf model of assault throughout this Fourth of July vacation week. With the vacation falling on a Friday, it’ll be a busy one and lots of people are taking break day already.
In a joint bulletin, the FBI, Division of Homeland Safety and different legislation enforcement businesses mentioned people or small teams motivated by political, racial or private grievances are probably to focus on massive gatherings just like the Macy’s fireworks present in New York Metropolis, or different celebrations throughout the nation.
The company has additionally warned about potential copycat assaults following the New Year’s Day incident in New Orleans.
People should not be paranoid, Coffindaffer mentioned, however ought to be taking note of their environment.
“How will you get out of a selected hall that you just is likely to be in if one thing unhealthy had been to occur? Are you trying to be sure that the road blockades are within the correct location, and if not, you may notify any individual,” she mentioned. “How about social media? Have you ever seen something coming throughout your social media that’s unsuitable, the place persons are threatening or doing one thing?”
They are saying international conflicts, together with tensions with Iran and the Israel-Hamas battle, are additionally contributing to that heightened risk setting.
The Division of Homeland Safety informed Information Nation it is enhancing safety measures proper now and coordinating with federal, state and native companions to maintain celebrations secure.
Coffindaffer mentioned these measures can embrace issues like barricades and elimination of issues like trash cans, which may very well be used to hide an explosive system, in addition to monitoring crowds.
“You are on the lookout for all the things from backpacks being left to suspicious exercise of people, typically folks wearing inordinately heat clothes,” she mentioned.
Officers emphasize there aren’t any particular credible threats presently, and they’re simply asking folks to remain vigilant and in the event that they see one thing, say one thing.