Last week’s tragic events in France represent not only the evolution of the terrorist threat in the Western world and the manifestation of a concern long held by the U.S. intelligence community and law enforcement, but an opportunity for communities to commit themselves to the difficult work of preventing mass violence. In the Denver metro area, which has known its own instances of heartbreaking mass violence, public safety and community leaders must work hand in hand even as we wrestle with the raw questions about policing in the aftermath of grand jury decisions in Missouri and New York.
The alleged perpetrators of the attack on the Paris offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hedbo were reportedly French nationals. According to media reports, one of the attackers became radicalized in Paris and was sentenced in 2008 for being part of a recruitment ring attempting to send fighters to join the conflict in Iraq. The attackers reportedly traveled to the battlefields of Syria and elsewhere abroad, becoming proficient with firearms and the small unit tactics exhibited in the attack. Contrasted with the sophistication and conspiracy demonstrated on Sept. 11, 2001, in this country, a simple yet high impact terrorist attack like the one in Paris is very hard to detect and has been a critical worry for Western intelligence services and law enforcement agencies whose citizens may “self-radicalize” in their countries of origin or online, travel abroad where they are further indoctrinated and receive military style training, and then return home.
What happened in Paris may seem far away, but in this event there are echoes of the tragic violence that Aurora, Centennial, and Littleton have known all too well in recent years. One or two people are capable of wreaking catastrophic pain and suffering. In the days and weeks to come, Parisians will undoubtedly wrestle with the many familiar questions of why and how. There will be anger and blame, running alongside resiliency, strength, and compassion. There are other parallels too. Research conducted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and others shows that while the reasons why someone may choose to commit a violent act vary greatly, the factors that lead someone to violent behavior and the steps taken before committing a violent act, actually share many commonalities. Whether motivated by religious extremism, anti-authority sentiment, or mental illness, the tragic outcomes are the same. And sometimes, so are the opportunities for intervention.
To prevent horrible events such as these, it takes a whole of community approach. For several years, DHS and the FBI have been working with police departments and communities, including Denver, to share the behaviors and indicators that may indicate a progression towards violence. Yes, intervention can occur because of a law enforcement investigation, but in many instances educators, mental health care professionals, religious mentors, family, or friends may be better positioned to recognize the signs and intervene. Knowing the signs and sustaining engagement and dialogue across the civic spectrum is imperative.
In some places, protests regarding the police-involved deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner in Missouri and New York have eroded the dialogue between law enforcement and communities. Let the attack on Charlie Hedbo in Paris serve as a reminder that acts of terrorism and mass violence can occur suddenly and without warning. Public Safety officials and community members alike, of all opinions and beliefs, should recognize that there are still areas where cooperation is possible and necessary. Mass violence prevention is an issue where everyone can lead.
Matt Chandler of Denver is former deputy chief of staff and acting assistant secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
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