Intelligence. Unclassified.

NJ Learn is a complete online learning management system managed by NJOHSP at no cost to state, county, and local first responder agencies. NJ Learn is available online and includes standardized training, a catalog listing of courses, processes for registrations, a digital resource library, the ability to provide notifications and other communications, and a complete records management system, with full reporting capabilities. In today’s episode, we discuss how NJ Learn came to be, who can access the system, and related resources for all New Jersey residents.

The primary focus of NJ Transit’s Police Department (NJTPD) is providing police services to bus depots and rail stations throughout New Jersey. NJTPD is the only transit police agency in the United States with statewide authority and jurisdiction. NJTPD’s Intelligence Section manages NJTPD’s counterterrorism and criminal intelligence programs. The section is responsible for the collection, analysis, production, dissemination, and coordination of intelligence for NJTPD’s counterterrorism and crime prevention and suppression missions. In today’s episode, we sit down with NJ Transit Director of Intelligence Ed Bruce to discuss the mechanisms of the intelligence cycle for New Jersey’s transportation system.  

Some domestic extremists are likely willing to shift to foreign terrorist ideologies as a way to justify violence due to their susceptibility to radicalization, existing violent tendencies, and willingness to support extremist groups. An NJOHSP review found that many domestic extremist and foreign terrorist ideologies share similar viewpoints typically rooted in hatred and intolerance. Tune in to today’s episode as our analysts review these recent cases and explore possible causes for their ideological shifts.

Trauma is the leading cause of death in Americans under age 46. These life-threatening traumatic injuries require immediate action to stop someone from dying. The University Hospital’s Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, located at the University Hospital campus in Newark, provides a variety of training courses for healthcare professionals, first responders, and community members throughout the entire State. The center specializes in the rapid development and implementation of courses to address emerging issues. On the latest episode, instructors from the Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response sit down with NJOHSP to discuss the Until Help Arrives and Bleeding Control training programs and how they can prepare individuals for these scenarios. The group reviews these two programs and the importance of educating  and empowering community members to take action and provide lifesaving care before the professional help arrives.

The Technology Foresight Forum was hosted earlier this year by the Stevens Institute of Technology Maritime Security Center (MSC)—a US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence—and the NY/NJ Regional Metro Alumni Chapter of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). This forum brought together a broad base of representatives from the public, private, and government sectors to engage in discourse on the capabilities and potential implications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous vehicles on safety, security, and public policy. In addition to presenting at the forum, NJOHSP took Intelligence. Unclassified. on the road to talk to some of the forum participants, see how technology impacts each of their organizations, and learn what they hoped to get out of these artificial intelligence-related panels.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons estimates it will release 112 inmates with convictions relating to international terrorism between 2015 and 2020, with an additional 100 releases between 2021 and 2031. NJOHSP assesses that the threat from terrorists recently released from prison is moderate given the small number of releases in connection with terrorism-related offenses over the past five years, supervision upon release, and public scrutiny.  In this episode, we explore the upcoming release of the “American Taliban,” John Walker Lindh, and others who said they will continue to harbor extremist ideologies.  

The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety serves as the central focus for the State's fire service community and the general public in all matters relating to fire safety through the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, public education programs, and firefighter training programs. Tune in as we talk to our partners about the responsibilities of the Division of Fire Safety and how it impacts both intelligence collection and general safety throughout the State.

The Regional Intelligence Academy (RIA) is a training partnership comprised of NJOHSP, the New Jersey State Police, and the public safety agencies represented in the New Jersey Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) region. The curriculum aims to teach intelligence tradecraft to law enforcement, first responders, the private sector, and intelligence analysts throughout New Jersey, New York City, and the Philadelphia area. These programs also help design strategies, systems, and activities that provide for intelligence and information exchange and sharing. Listen to our latest episode to understand more about the RIA and the services it provides to the intelligence community in the region.

On March 15, suspected white supremacist extremist Brenton Harrison Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian man, attacked two mosques, killing 50 and injuring 50 others in Christchurch, New Zealand. In the immediate days following the attacks, various international terrorist groups and other white supremacist extremists commented on the attack, either condemning and calling for revenge or showing their support. In today’s podcast, our analysts will discuss how these various extremist groups have responded to this attack and implications for future threats.

The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) assesses that cyber threat actors pose a moderate threat to New Jersey. The continued growth of IP-enabled devices for both personal and business uses will result in an increased attack surface for threat actors to target, impacting attached physical systems. Tune in to the final installment of our 2019 Threat Assessment series as the NJCCIC analysts delve deeper into the cyber threats facing the State of New Jersey and its citizens.

Domestic extremists’ wide-ranging ideologies pose unique challenges to New Jersey and the surrounding region, as they employ a variety of robust methods to conduct attacks, have varying motivations, and are often willing to engage in violence. Tune in to the next installment of our 2019 Threat Assessment series as our analysts sit down and discuss the evolving tactics of domestic extremists in 2018 and what the threat landscape posed by these groups will look like this year. Note: Some of the information discussed in this podcast describes First Amendment-protected activities. NJOHSP recognizes the constitutionally protected rights to assemble, speak, and petition the government. NJOHSP safeguards these rights and only reports on First Amendment-protected activities for situational awareness in the interest of assuring the safety and security of the demonstrators and the public.

Although overseas, foreign terrorist organizations pose unique challenges to homeland security professionals and law enforcement. These groups attempt to conduct attacks within the United States and have plotted to target US infrastructure as well as overseas US interests. In 2019, ISIS will maintain its insurgency in Iraq and Syria, support its global affiliates, and attempt to inspire attacks through propaganda dissemination, while al-Qa’ida and its affiliates will focus on targeting Western interests abroad, also disseminating propaganda to its followers, and attempting to expand its operations in West Africa. In this episode, our analysts discuss what 2018 looked like for these foreign terrorist groups, how they have evolved over the years, and what threat they may present to the State of New Jersey.

Homegrown Violent Extremists (HVEs) are individuals inspired—as opposed to directed—by foreign terrorist organizations and radicalized in the countries in which they are born, raised, or reside. These organizations continue to call for attacks in the West, despite the groups’ inability to execute large-scale attacks in recent years. HVE support in the United States for foreign terrorist organizations will remain unremitting, despite a decline in HVE attacks and overall activity since 2015. In 2018, there were seven individuals involved in attacks and plots nationwide and eight others charged with material support. Join us as we discuss why HVEs remain the highest threat to New Jersey due to their sustained support of foreign terrorist groups, the unpredictability of attacks, and their susceptibility to online propaganda.

The Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC) is New Jersey’s state fusion center, a joint interagency intelligence enterprise comprised of 175 personnel from various law enforcement and public safety agencies. The ROIC is the State’s hub for intelligence and includes input and personnel from agencies such as the FBI, US Department of Homeland Security, NJOHSP, and numerous state, county, and municipal agencies. Analysts from all partnering agencies collaboratively link data to create “actionable” intelligence that guides tactical investigations in real time. The ROIC is also the home for the Office of Emergency Management and State Emergency Operations Center, and it serves as the command center for all State-led emergency response operations, such as natural disasters, chemical/nuclear emergencies, and terror alerts. During emergency response missions, the ROIC serves as the gateway for situational information and requests for aid. It allows a coordinated and measured response by matching requests with resources and personnel run by federal, state, and local agencies. Join us as we explore the inner workings of the ROIC and its whole-of-government approach to providing intelligence and resources across all threats, all crimes, and all hazards.

In October, Robert Bowers targeted members of the Jewish community when he entered a Pittsburgh synagogue and opened fire, killing 11 people and injuring six. It was an attack not only toward members of that congregation, but also against all citizens throughout the United States who should be able to go about their daily lives without fearing for their safety at any event or venue. The threat from individuals who similarly wish to do harm has hit home in New Jersey as well. In May, NJOHSP detectives arrested and charged a sovereign citizen extremist for the first time under a new State statute for filing fraudulent liens. In October, an anti-government extremist transported explosive materials through our State with the goal of conducting an attack on Election Day in Washington, DC. That same month, Cesar Sayoc Jr. mailed Cory Booker and 15 other Democratic figureheads packages that contained improvised explosive devices. These incidents further demonstrate the wide-ranging ideologies associated with domestic terrorism and have only further strengthened our Office’s resolve to protect the diversity that makes New Jersey so unique. Join us as we discuss the upcoming release of NJOHSP's 2019 Terrorism Threat Assessment and the threat extremist groups pose to New Jersey in 2019.