The significance of Terror Alerts

[PainRack]

From the "we don't do politics at Homeland security" thread, Gil Hamilton pointed out that the Terror Alerts have no significance on security agencies.

Is this true? Putting aside cynical views of the government, shouldn't the increased danger scale on a Terror Alert mean increased vigilance of some sort? Perhaps the mobilisation of additional troopers to provide security, increased patrols, more OT, etc etc etc?

[SirNitram]

If we want to be generous, it can be explained as the companies increasing their watch according to the actual data, not the public-service-announcement-esque colour-code.

On the other hand, I'm thinking the security companies can smell bullshit a mile off.

[PainRack]

If we want to be generous, it can be explained as the companies increasing their watch according to the actual data, not the public-service-announcement-esque colour-code.

On the other hand, I'm thinking the security companies can smell bullshit a mile off.

I mean, what do the Federal government like the FBI, and state police department do?

I mean, god, the terror alert must have some other purpose, right? It may not achieve it, but shouldn't say an orange alert in Missipissi mean something like increasing the number of police troopers on patrol in the region, making the National Guard come up with contingency plans in event of a terrorist attack, etc etc etc?

[aerius]

The terror colour code is just a nice PR feel-good system, it makes people feel that something's been done when in reality business is going on as usual. Only when there's hard intel of an imminent attack will security in the area be increased and put on higher alert.

[PainRack]

The terror colour code is just a nice PR feel-good system, it makes people feel that something's been done when in reality business is going on as usual. Only when there's hard intel of an imminent attack will security in the area be increased and put on higher alert.

Then isn't this just a friviolous waste of public resources, and the GAO should be clamping down on this?

After all, other nations similarly have a "threat anaylsis" level, and several nations has expanded this to concern terrorist acts too. Raising the threat level should at least mean that contigency plans have been set in place, no?

[Mayabird]

Yellow? Orange? Eggshell? Who the hell knows if any of it is actually valid or not? The only level that would mean anything would be red, and how would we know that a terrorist attack was imminent? And even then, if they know it's coming, why can't it be stopped and/or just have a general announcement over all the media? That's what'll happen anyway.

Lowest common denominator crap for the masses. The uninformed and stupid see some pretty colors and think that they don't have to think anymore about it and everything is the exact same as always.

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

Certain procedures change with the increased alert level, as I understand it. Florida Power & Light locks normally-unlocked doors at the local office here and changes the way a few things are handled when the alert level goes up... I'd imagine security agencies do the same tye of thing.

[Keevan_Colton]

Certain procedures change with the increased alert level, as I understand it. Florida Power & Light locks normally-unlocked doors at the local office here and changes the way a few things are handled when the alert level goes up... I'd imagine security agencies do the same tye of thing.

And can we see why this is very dumb?
They dont follow proper security procedures unless someone comes on the news and goes "today is an obergine alert, please remember not to leave the door to the armour open today."

Apart from reminding dumb people not to be dumb (like that has ever worked) it does precisely fuck all.

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

Apart from reminding dumb people not to be dumb (like that has ever worked) it does precisely fuck all.

At airports and such, I'd imagine higher standards of security are followed... More people randomly searched and maybe more employees at work that day, guarding things.

But I'm just guessing. The only thing I have really seen it do is cause hysteria among the easily frightened.

[Gil Hamilton]

My point in that thread was that if the people and agencies who are actually handling the security of the United States are doing their jobs correctly, then they are already as vigilant as humanly possible regardless of what color the "Terror Alert Level" is. They should always be keeping their ears to the ground, always be analyzing data with the same degree of care, and always watching out for threats. Unless they are incompetant, their alertness shouldn't be anything less than at maximum, no matter what.

[PainRack]

My point in that thread was that if the people and agencies who are actually handling the security of the United States are doing their jobs correctly, then they are already as vigilant as humanly possible regardless of what color the "Terror Alert Level" is. They should always be keeping their ears to the ground, always be analyzing data with the same degree of care, and always watching out for threats. Unless they are incompetant, their alertness shouldn't be anything less than at maximum, no matter what.

Except that this is humanely impossible. Any organisation runs at approximately 70% of her human resources, and that limits the potential of their productivity. In the case of a crisis, additional human and economic resources can be mobilised, that may not be advisable in the case of a routine scenario.

For example, in the face of an impending terrorist attack,hospitals and medical resources may be prepared and mobilised to deal with the potential upsurge in cases, this cannot be done in a normal situation, without degrading the ability of the hospital to respond to a real emergency.

[Gil Hamilton]

Except that this is humanely impossible. Any organisation runs at approximately 70% of her human resources, and that limits the potential of their productivity. In the case of a crisis, additional human and economic resources can be mobilised, that may not be advisable in the case of a routine scenario.

Security agencies aren't supposed to work that way, first of all, and secondly, they don't work based on the silly little "Terror Alert Level" that the Department of Homeland Security announces has changed. Their operation should always be at orange and red, regardless of what the meter says.

What I don't think is connecting here is that the "Terror Alert Level" is not connected with the security agencies that are actually responsible for protecting the country. Those are released for the benefit (or not) of the public, supposedly to keep people on their toes. However, the public does not protect the borders or prevent attacks or analyze intelligence, does it?

For example, in the face of an impending terrorist attack,hospitals and medical resources may be prepared and mobilised to deal with the potential upsurge in cases, this cannot be done in a normal situation, without degrading the ability of the hospital to respond to a real emergency.

Name one hospital in the country that has ever once mobilized extra resources based on the DoHS' silly "Terror Alerts". Especially since they aren't impending attacks, but rather vague warnings that the DoHS gets "chatter" about that there is a "chance" of "happening". In real emergencies, hospitals stockpile medical resources and call in their doctors and surgeons, but after it is known that an actual emergency is in the works or in the event of a known threat, like a coming air raid on American soil (something that has happened exactly once). "Terror Alert Levels" are not known threats.

Come on, PainRack, these alerts came from the same people who once warned people to be on the look out, because terrorists might use fountain pens to shoot poison at people.

[Durandal]

You know, as long as Bush is in charge, I think the terror scale should be modified. Red shouldn't be the highest alert color. That spot should be reserved for pink, which will indicate an impending threat from homosexuals. At the Pink alert level, the government will issue emergency rations of heterosexual pornography to our young boys and girls in order to keep them from being corrupted by the waves of faggotry heading their way.

I know that porn is evil, but desperate times call for desperate measures people.

[MKSheppard]

You know, as long as Bush is in charge, I think the terror scale should be modified. Red shouldn't be the highest alert color. That spot should be reserved for pink, which will indicate an impending threat from homosexuals. At the Pink alert level, the government will issue emergency rations of heterosexual pornography to our young boys and girls in order to keep them from being corrupted by the waves of faggotry heading their way.

I know that porn is evil, but desperate times call for desperate measures people.

You know, that's really quite fucking funny, you damn dirty PRO HOMOSEXUAL!

FUQ!

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

You know, as long as Bush is in charge, I think the terror scale should be modified. Red shouldn't be the highest alert color. That spot should be reserved for pink, which will indicate an impending threat from homosexuals. At the Pink alert level, the government will issue emergency rations of heterosexual pornography to our young boys and girls in order to keep them from being corrupted by the waves of faggotry heading their way.

I know that porn is evil, but desperate times call for desperate measures people.

You know, that's really quite fucking funny, you damn dirty PRO HOMOSEXUAL!

FUQ!

ROFLMAO 2!! FUQ! FUQ! FUQ!

How about also a Brown Alert for when Terrorist Sewage Systems break, igniting Terrorist Sewer Gas and causing shit and piss to simultaneously erupt with great force out of every last toilet in the country?

[Gil Hamilton]

Well, this was a Sig Banner I had for a while.



It sums up my feelings about the matter.

[PainRack]

What I don't think is connecting here is that the "Terror Alert Level" is not connected with the security agencies that are actually responsible for protecting the country. Those are released for the benefit (or not) of the public, supposedly to keep people on their toes. However, the public does not protect the borders or prevent attacks or analyze intelligence, does it?

I get that, I'm asking whether the terror alert has any additional relevence for any other agencies. For one, anything from security agencies, normal sheriff departments whoose job is to just patrol the streets, hospitals, city departments who may have to mobilise medical resources, transportation, check whether warehouses have additional rescue equipment and etc etc etc.

This will not be visible to many people, but its there, and I guess it can be tracked.

Name one hospital in the country that has ever once mobilized extra resources based on the DoHS' silly "Terror Alerts".

I'm asking whether this is done, and you ask me whether this is so? I absolutely understand what you said, however, what I'm asking is, is there any evidence that the terror alert has any other significance.

If there's none, then so be it. I was just curious.