Homeland Defense

The Reno Police Department has actively participated in local, state, and federal efforts in preparing to combat terrorism. The Reno Police Department has taken the following steps to reduce the threat of terrorism:

• Established a Strategic Operations Unit to deal with threats of Domestic and Global Terrorism.
• Expanded the role of the Reno Police Department's Criminal Intelligence Unit.
• Participate in an "Anti-Terrorism Working Group", comprised of local, state, and federal agencies.
• Continually exchange information with those in the private sector, as well as government agencies that may be targets of terrorists.

The Reno Police Department recognized the need to assist the efforts of governmental agencies in creating a uniform response to terrorist threats. By following the lead of the Department of Homeland Security the Reno Police Department has instituted a Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). This system is based on a color code that gives law enforcement agencies, and the public, a clearer sense of the risk of a terrorist attack. HSAS will be used by the Reno Police Department to keep the public advised during heightened conditions. The Reno Police Department is committed to fulfilling the requirements of each of these conditions should it become necessary.

How Can Terrorism Affect Those Who Live in the Truckee Meadows Area?

The Reno Police Department is concerned with all types of terrorism. Whether it is global/foreign based, or domestic terrorism. Terrorism is the use of violence and/or threats of violence to intimidate or coerce, especially for political or religious beliefs.

In defining terrorism and trying to identify who may commit as act of terrorism the Reno Police Department has identified potential locations of terrorism as well as potential mechanisms of terrorism:

POTENTIAL LOCATIONS

• Major Airports
• Public buildings such as courthouses, federal buildings, or noted landmarks
• Community infrastructure, such as highways and bridges
• Railways
• Community water supplies such as reservoirs
• Large commercial buildings
• Resorts
• Major entertainment and sporting events

POTENTIAL MECHANISMS

• Bombs such as the one used to destroy the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 
• Biological agents, such as the anthrax virus
• Chemical Agents, such as the sarin nerve agent that was released in the Tokyo subway attack in 1995.
• Nuclear/Radiological devices
• Incendiary Devices; Generally is a mechanical or electrical device used to intentionally initiate combustion and start a fire. Radical extremist groups, to make there cause known, often use this mechanism.

Weapons of Mass Destruction are commonly referred to as B-NICE Weapons (B-Biological, N-Nuclear, I-Incendiary, C-Chemical, E-Explosive)

Understanding Potential Threats and Your Response

BOMB THREAT

• Immediately contact the police on any bomb threat
• As with all criminal acts, any victim of a bomb threat should try to ascertain as much about the suspect as possible
• Employees should be made aware of threats
• Information should be gathered concerning suspicious subjects, and anything that would be considered out of the normal
• Procedures for evacuation should be pre-determined
• Evacuation locations should be changed frequently
• Suspicious Packages should not be touched
• Anything suspicious should be noted and reported to the responding police

CHEMICAL AGENT

• A chemical agent is normally released through a air handling system, misting or aerosolizing device, sprayer, gas cylinder, or a dirty bomb
• Chemical agents are poisonous gases, liquids, or solids that have toxic effects on people, animals, or plants
• Most chemical agents cause serious injuries or death
• It is important when dealing with the release of chemical agents to identify physical indicators and other outward warning signs such as casualties with minimal or no trauma.
• Responder casualties
• Dead animals and vegetation
• Unusual odors, color of smoke, and vapor clouds
• The most important thing to remember is any exposure, no matter how brief, can be fatal.

BIOLOGICAL

• Biological agents may produce delayed reactions. It is important to note any increase of flu-like symptoms affecting a large group of people
• There are four basic classifications of biological agents: a.) Bacteria, such as Anthrax; b.) Viruses, such as Smallpox; c.) Toxin, such as Botulinum Toxin; and d.) Rickettsia, such as Typhus
• Inhalation is the primary route of entry, but biological agents can be absorbed, ingested, and injected
• Unlike exposure to chemical agents, exposure to biological agents does not require immediate removal of the victim's clothing or gross decontamination at the scene

BE AWARE OF SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES
The Reno Police Department has established a protocol for handling suspicious packages. This protocol has been established to aid citizens and businesses in providing a uniformed response in the event a suspicious package is received. One or more of the following may be an indication of a suspicious package: DO NOT OPEN A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE OR ENVELOPE

• No return address or inappropriate labeling
• Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
• Misspelling of common words
• Incorrect titles
• It is not addressed to a specific person
• It is marked with restrictions such as "personal", "confidential", or "Do Not X-Ray"
• It is marked with threatening language
• Strong odors emitting from package or letters
• Evidence of powdery substances on the package or envelope
• Lopsided or uneven envelope
• Excessive packaging material, such as masking tape, string, etc.
• Excessive weight
• Ticking sound
• Protruding wires or aluminum foil

If you have questions concerning suspicious packages call:

Washoe County Health Department – 328-6176
U.S. Postal Inspector, Reno Office–328-6042
Reno Police Non-Emergency – 334-COPS (2677)

The ability to identify these physical indicators and other warning signs may prevent death or injury.

What You Can Do to Assist the Reno Police Department and Your Community

The Reno Police Department asks all citizens to increase their awareness and report any suspicious activity. Citizens should know what to do in an emergency situation. This includes being prepared in the home, as well as the work place. Employers should ensure that employees know how to respond to a variety of critical situations in the work place. The Reno Police Department is asking citizens to report any suspicious activity, regardless of the nature.

• Non-Emergency: 334-COPS (2677)
• Emergency: 911

To help unite communities the Citizen Corps, a component of Freedom Corps, creates opportunities for citizens to volunteer in the event of an emergency. Citizen Corps brings together community leaders, first responders, and citizen volunteers with the purpose to make your community safer. To register, e-mail E-mail Citizen Corps. And you can get more information by visiting the Citizen Corps Website.

The Reno Police Department recognizes the need to improve security without compromising established constitutional principles, and we are committed to guaranteeing that homeland security is achieved within a framework of law that protects the civil liberties and privacy of all our citizens.

Below are four brochures and information sheets in Adobe PDF format which will help your family to prepare for emergencies and natural disasters.

• Your Family Disaster Plan
• Emergency Preparedness Checklist
• Disaster Supplies Kit
• Disaster Planning for Pets, Livestock, and Wildlife