Sometime effective intelligence isn't enough and then it's time for the tactical teams.
The best way to avoid slaughters like happened early Sunday morning in an Orlando nightclub is to be ready -- not just for the attack but by using breakthroughs in the flow of intelligence to figure out what's on the way, authorities said.
"It's out and out plain murder," Bethlehem police Chief Mark DiLuzio said of the killing of 49 people and the wounding of scores more. "That could happen anywhere in the country. It's something we need to address immediately (as a country). We can't have our heads in the sand and say it can't happen here."
In the Lehigh Valley, the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Center system -- a Lehigh County operation to which Northampton County has recently gained access -- provides a portal of intelligence and crime information that can make the difference, DiLuzio said.
Bethlehem police Chief Mark DiLuzio speaks as community members gather June 24, 2015, at St. John A.M.E. Zion Church in Bethlehem for a prayer vigil to remember the nine individuals murdered June 17 inside the historic Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina. (Matt Smith | For lehighvalleylive.com)
In the Garden State, it's the New Jersey Regional Operations Intelligence Center, state police Capt. Steve Jones said. The center falls under the state Attorney General's Office, but involves Homeland Security and state police, Jones added.
That operation certainly was drilling down through data the moment word came from Orlando that an active shooter incident had turned quite deadly, Jones said. State police needed to know if the threat spread north and if others were thought to be involved, he said.
And if they got the information, they would have to share it.
That's something that has changed since 9/11 when it comes to intelligence.
"Law enforcement is inclusive," Lehigh County Sheriff and former Allentown police chief Joe Hanna explained. "We've developed an entirely different paradigm since 9/11.
"There's a much more fluid exchange of intelligence among federal, state and local" authorities.
"We are able to gather more intelligence and get a better handle on those people that might be potential threats."
In Bethlehem, the city puts detectives on federal task forces, causing the information to flow more simply. And those federal authorities tend to work with city police on investigations inside and outside the city, DiLuzio said.
The challenge is to stay on top of things 24/7, Hanna said.
"It's ongoing every minute of every day," he said of the intelligence effort. "In spite of that, we can't come up with all the intelligence to avert every incident. In my estimate, we're doing a very good job in law enforcement since the surprise on 9/11."
Sept. 11, 2001, is an important day because intelligence did not always flow freely, Jones said. And the result of that dysfunctional funnel is obvious for anyone who was anywhere that day.
"It was driven in a large part by some of the intelligence failures of 9/11," he said of the changes. "Siloing of information doesn't work anymore. We're sharing information with law enforcement partners at all levels."
Because even if the FBI has an idea someone may be trouble -- the Orlando shooter was interviewed more than once -- when the bullets start to fly, it will likely be local police, firefighters and EMTs who will answer the 911 call and be first on the scene, DiLuzio said.
"First responders need the intelligence and equipment to address this stuff," DiLuzio said.
The flow of information can't just work during a crisis, he added. They key is that it's available before a gun is drawn.
Hanna says information is the key to improved police work.
Lehigh County Sheriff Joe Hanna.
"Before 9/11 federal law enforcement agencies didn't communicate with each other," Hanna said. "If you want to keep a secret, keep it to yourself (was the thinking). When that info is disseminated in law enforcement circles, it makes for a stronger and safer community."
One of the greatest fears in New Jersey involves the targeting of bridges and the tunnels, Jones said.
From the terrorist tip line at the intelligence center -- which is known as the ROIC and pronounced the ROCK -- to everyday communication with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the NYPD, cooperation is key, Jones said.
"I think we look at targets regionally -- terrorists and criminals don't obey state borders," he said.
Chemical plants and rail lines all need to be protected, he said.
And New Jersey can't just worry about what's within its borders. It is within the "megalopolis" that runs from New York to Washington, Jones added.
Warren County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael McDonald. (Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com)
But it's sometimes as simple as the New York Subway slogan -- "see something, say something," Jones said. That's why the hotline exists. State police don't want people investigating or acting as a vigilante, he added. But if a person appears suspicious, let someone know, he said.
It can come down to choosing where to focus.
"The critical thing is you need to use your intelligence wisely," Warren County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael McDonald explained. "Once a situation starts, it's a response. Prevention is always the best thing."
Allentown police Assistant Chief Gail Struss said intelligence can only go so far.
In a city of 100,000 people, "we have no idea what's going on in everybody's mind," she said.
"... Honestly it comes down to family members or friends to alert us to their erratic behavior."
But, sometimes, intelligence, being proactive and having families step in aren't enough.
Bethlehem has a "very good" Emergency Response Team "for when we need it," DiLuzio said. East of the Delaware River, it's called the Warren County Tactical Response Team. Pennsylvania State Police call it the Specialized Emergency Response Team. Easton calls it the Emergency Response Unit.
They come equipped -- armored vehicles and more powerful weaponry are key elements -- and it was their counterpart in Orlando that exposed the shooter and led to his death.
Allentown and Bethlehem officers are trained for active shooter situations since they'll likely get there first.
Allentown has officers in the city's schools, which help with intelligence gathering but serve as a deterrent as well, Struss said.
"If you're a bad guy, are you going to pick a school with uniformed officer?" she asked. "It all comes down to these guys are looking for soft targets."
When it comes to soft targets -- which will always exist in a democracy, DiLuzio said -- Warren County is trying to be ready.
The county is putting together a rescue unit, McDonald said.
With the cooperation of local municipalities and school boards, the county hopes to have a countywide GXP system -- software that will allow responders to envision the interior layout of a school in 3D -- fully in place by Sept. 1, McDonald said. If a shooter is in a certain section or students are sheltered in place, responders will have a good lay of the land, even if they've come from out of the county, he added.
Hand-in-hand, Easton gathering sends love
Sometimes violence can't be avoided, "but when you have a very detailed plan in place," that can limit casualties, he added.
And the county would like to expand the rescue effort to businesses, he said.
"It's a crazy world we live in," McDonald said. "There are threats everywhere, and you have to be as prepared as possible. I think the municipalities of Warren County should be very proud of the work that's been done, not only this office, but by all the local municipalities working with us."
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HELPING YOURSELF
If you're there when a shooter starts to fire, Lehigh County Sheriff Joe Hanna says there are some things a person can do to survive an attack.
- First things first, if you can run away, run away. Find the quickest route of escape. And keep running.
- Don't stop to think about the other people trapped with you. That's up to the professionals. "Some people have inclination that they want to protect others," Hanna said. "In a situation like Orlando, you have to protect yourself."
- If you can't find an exit, try to find somewhere to hide that might protect you from gunfire.
- If such a place doesn't exist, seek cover, where the shooter can't see you. "Be as small as possible," Hanna said.
You're might not have to hide for long.
"That's always the problem when you're talking about an active shooter," Hanna said. "It's over within three to six minutes. First responders are rolling. More often than not, they roll up on carnage."
Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Devin Dowd (Courtesy photo)