Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 1:00 PM
150-1

Protecting Agricultural Research and Extension Facilities Against Terrorist Attacks.

Pete Jacoby, Washington State University, P.o. Box 646242, Pullman, WA 99164-6242, United States of America

The nation has experienced a heightened sense of security following the events of nine-eleven.  Likewise, the definition of terrorism has become largely focused on international sources stemming from political or ideological goals.  Domestic terrorism, however, has and remains to be the primary threat to agricultural research and extension facilities.  Domestic organizations such as the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front have directed their efforts towards agricultural facilities supporting research on genetically modified plants and animal-based research.  This presentation reviews a number of such attacks attributed to these groups and presents a range of methods for protecting agricultural research and extension facilities against attack.  A sophisticated system using a digital recorder capable of supporting up to 16 cameras of various types is featured in its ability to both provide a degree of protection and advance the study of endangered animal species.  A similar system is described for protecting a multipurpose facility and a public display garden tended by trained volunteers.