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Americans might balk at vigorous strategies

By Joyzelle Davis, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 11, 2007 at 12:30 a.m.

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Few people want to turn public spaces into fortresses with checkpoints and metal detectors, experts say, despite the shock of fatal gunfire in a mall in Omaha and a church and missionary dorm in Colorado.

In Israel, where terrorism is a constant concern, shoppers are accustomed to pat-down searches, metal detectors and opening bags for inspection.

But the only way U.S. shoppers would accept such a system would be if the Department of Homeland Security raised the threat level to red, or severe danger, according to focus group research conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

"If there's no imminent threat, shoppers don't want to be impeded," said Malachy Kavanagh, vice president of the New York-based trade group. "The reason is, most people shop within 15 miles of their home, three to four times a month, and it's almost an affront to them. They feel like they know the stores, and it's part of their community."

Instead, retailers have stepped up their security with more uniformed guards and visible video cameras.

The attacker "will see the guard and say, 'Hey, this is not a great place for me to try. I'm going to look for a softer target,' " said Harry Rhulen, whose Golden-based firm, Firestorm Solutions, helps schools, businesses and others prepare for catastrophic events such as terrorism and shootings.

Firestorm's clients include one of the nation's biggest retailers, whom the company isn't allowed to name. But Rhulen said not every store is willing to spend the time or money to prepare for a disaster response.

"Preparedness requires cultural change. It's hard to imagine during the festive holiday season that someone out there wishes us ill will," he said. "But I'm telling you that there are plenty of people, especially when you're talking about a Christian-based holiday, who want to strike a blow against capitalism and a religious holiday at the same time."

The Omaha massacre didn't appear to be tied to the holidays. Eight people died in the shooting before Robert Hawkins turned the gun on himself, making it the deadliest mall shooting on record in the United States.

The holidays are the busiest time of the year for retailers, when they make anywhere from 20 percent to 40 percent of their annual sales. The throngs of shoppers make it difficult for employees and store security to keep track of potentially suspicious people.

Comments

  • December 11, 2007

    10:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    JustSayin writes:

    It was almost pre-ordained that hysteria would set in after these incidents. However, more people died just yesterday in automobile accidents than were murdered all of last week. More people died this week from past smoking and drinking than were murdered. Get a grip, people!

  • December 11, 2007

    6:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ValK writes:

    Of course people will balk at upping the security of public places. The reason they put up with it in Israel is because they live with the reality that there are people out there, domestic and foreign who really don't like them AND it's very common for Israelis to go around armed. At one point in time, the Israeli high command ordered that all personnel who had training- including off-duty and reservist members of their armed forces HAD to carry their weapons with them IN PUBLIC and AT ALL TIMES- presenting the never-to-be-forgotten spectacle of two pretty young Israeli reservists shopping for formal dresses with their submachine-guns in their shopping cart. I WOULD feel safer in Israel than in places in the US where I'm not allow to carry.
    Sure as hell, people are going to balk at more 'countermeasures' and still limited means for self-defence (especially in DC).