Situational Awareness Bulletin 27 JUNE 2011 Forthcoming 4 th of July Holiday 4th of July in Region 5 Throughout Region 5 there are plans for numerous celebrations during the upcoming 4 th of July weekend. The 4 th of July holiday bears great significance as the federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Many terrorist groups and extremist individuals, both domestic and international, are known to choose dates of significance to carry out attacks in order to cause greater emotional harm to their target(s). For example, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up a plane over Detroit on Christmas day in 2009. Also, Timothy McVeigh chose 19 April 1995 to carry out the Oklahoma City Bombing due to it being the two year anniversary of the Waco Siege in Texas. Trends Potential Threats Multiple Bomb Threats: Since the attempted bombing in Times Square, there have been numerous reports of suspicious packages and bomb threats throughout the US and in the Central Florida area. These incidents could be random acts or possibly pre-planning for another terrorist incident. There has also been talk on English Islamic forums of how easy it would be to shut down the US by going out in mass and randomly placing suspicious packages containing old computer parts. Their intention for planting these fake bombs would be to wreak havoc, and exhaust law enforcement into complacency. Arson Threats: English Islamic forums have also has encouraged Muslims in the US to commit arson attacks on buildings, farms and forests. The prominent member of Shumukh al-islam explains that the fires will spread easily do to the hot, dry summer months. The forum also provides instructions on how to manufacture a Molotov cocktail. This document is the property of the (CFIX) and may be distributed to state and local law portion of this document should be released to the public, the media, or other personnel who do not have a valid need-to-know Page 1 of 3
Multiple Thefts of Law Enforcement Identification/Equipment: In the past few months, there have been numerous thefts of law enforcement and/or governmental identification, uniforms, weapons, and gear. Although it is currently unclear if these incidents are associated, there is a possibility that the equipment and identification stolen could be utilized to hide the identity of individuals wanting to gain access to certain areas and/or cause harm to a target by blending in with other law enforcement officials. Since President Obama s announcement regarding the operation in Pakistan on 1 May 2011, which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden [OBL], a flurry of discussions have been generated by members of the online jihadi community. The majority of these discussions are calling for retaliatory attacks to be carried out against the U.S. and other Western governments. Forum members are encouraging individuals to go forth and kill Americans and become heroes like Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, Nidal Hassan and Faisal Shahzad. [Analyst Comments] The 4 th of July was identified as a potential target date in documents found in Osama bin Laden s compound. Additionally, recent forum chatter has mentioned using lone offender operations to target large Independence Day gatherings and firework celebrations; however, they have not mentioned specific tactics. In the Shumukh al-islam forum posting which provided a target list of specific individuals and businesses, one of the prominent members stated that they [the online brothers] needed to prepare the list and send it to the leaders of jihad for approval and feedback for any adjustments that may need to be made. Once they have received the approval and blessing from the leaders of jihad, he recommended that they publish it to the widest dissemination possible within the sites of the brothers and this must take place before 3 July 2011 so that the people during their Independence Day and the head of the Kufr America can be faced with this list firs thing in the morning of 4 July 2011. The poster advised that this action will scare the Americans and could even disrupt planned Independence Day celebrations. Additionally, propaganda regarding Lone Wolf activities has been the topic of discussion on both White Nationalist forums and radical Islamic forums in recent months: There has been an immediate call to mobilization to Muslims worldwide for lone offender and/or small cell operations to be carried out in retaliation for the death of Osama bin Laden. o o Suggested Targets: Large Gathering [i.e. Firework Events] Sporting Events Airports Aircrafts Military & Government officials Law Enforcement Officers & First Responders Suggest Tactics: Small Explosives Firearms Assassinations Arsons VBIED s Chemical or Biological Agents This document is the property of the (CFIX) and may be distributed to state and local law portion of this document should be released to the public, the media, or other personnel who do not ha ve a valid need-to-know Page 2 of 3
In March 2011, AQAP released its fifth issue of INSPIRE magazine. The recurring theme throughout this issue is the obligation of individual jihad for all Muslims. By choosing the theme of individual jihad, INSPIRE is echoing the continued call for Muslims in the West to carry out lone wolf style attacks, which has been the prevailing message in jihadist propaganda throughout 2010. On 7 January 2011, a posting was made on a known White Nationalist forum entitled ADVICE FOR LONE WOLVES. The author highlights six [6] pieces of advice for pro-white individuals to successfully carry out a lone wolf style attack: 1. ACT ALONE 2. DO NOT ROB BANKS 3. ACT SILENTLY 4. DO NOT DEFACE YOUR BODY WITH TATTOOS! 5. UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE EXPENDABLE 6. DON T GROVEL! November 2010, a member of the Shumukh al-islam [Arabic] forum posted an article entitled Brethren in the West- Individual Jihad is the Way, which provided simplified lessons of how to prepare a vehicle borne improvised explosive device [VBIED]. This particular lesson was being geared towards the brothers living in the U.S. and Europe. The posters reasoning for focusing on Muslim brothers in the U.S. and Europe is to encourage them to spearhead the battle with the crusader enemy and enable them to carry out a major operation in one of the countries participating in the war on Muslims. He tells brothers in the West to trust in Allah and they will become mujahids in the land of the infidel CFIX is unaware of any specific threats to 4 th of July celebrations in Region 5; however, this bulletin is being provided for situational awareness as unforeseen incidents could occur. Law Enforcement, as well as other Region 5 partners, are encouraged to remain observant and report any suspicious activity to the (CFIX) at 407-858-3950 or CFIX@ocfl.net. Entities and agencies outside of the Central Florida Region should report suspicious activity to the appropriate investigative agency and their regional or state fusion center. This document is the property of the (CFIX) and may be distributed to state and local law portion of this document should be released to the public, the media, or other personnel who do not ha ve a valid need-to-know Page 3 of 3
Region 5 4th of July Celebrations County Name/Descrition of the Event Date & Tme City Location of Event Riverfront Park (Cocoa Village) 401 Riveredge Blvd Brevard Fireworks and Concert July 4th / 8-10 PM Cocoa Cocoa FL 32922 Brevard Melbourne 4th of July Celebration July 4th / 9-10 PM Melbourne Claude Edge Front Street Park 2205 South Front Street Melbourne, FL 32935 Brevard Red, White and Boom July 3rd / 5-10 PM Titusville Sandpoint Park Titusville, FL 32780 Indian River Vero's 4th of July Fun and Fireworks July 4th / 6-9 PM Vero Beach Mulligan's Grille and Raw Bar 1025 Beach Line Blvd Vero Beach, FL 32963 Indian River Vero Beach July 4th Fireworks July 4th / 3:30-9:30 PM Vero Beach Riverside Park 3001 Riverside Park Drive Vero Beach, FL 32963 Indian River Drive & Riverview Park @ the Intersection of US Hwy Sebastian Freedom Festival (20,000 1 & Route 512 Indian River expected) July 4th Sebastian Sebastian, FL Lake July 4th Celebration July 4th / 5-9 PM Mount Dora Gilbert Park 310 South Tremain Street Mount Dora, FL 32757 Lake Groveland Annual 4th of July Celebration July 4th Groveland Lake David Park Lake Avenue Groveland, FL 34736 Lake Leesburg 4th of July Celebration July 4th / 9:15 (Fireworks) Leesburg Fireworks over Lake Harris Venetian Gardens 109 East Dixie Ave Leesburg, FL 34748 Lake Red, White and Blues July 4th / 3:30-9:30 PM Tavares Wooten Park 100 East Ruby Street Tavares, FL 32778 Martin Stuart Main Street July 4th Show July 4th Stuart Flagler Park, Downtown Stuart Waterfront Stuart, FL 34994 Lake Eola Park Fireworks at the Fountain (Over 195 North Rosalind Ave Orange 100,000000 Expected) July 4th / 9:30 PM Orlando Orlando, FL 32801 Newton Park 29 West Garden Blvd Orange Party in the Park July 4th / 5-9:15 PM Winter Garden Winter Garden, FL Blue Jacket Park 2501 General Rees Ave Orange 4th of July Bash at Baldwin Park July 4th / 4:00 PM Orlando Orlando, FL 32805 Disney Magic Kingdom 3111 World Drive Orange Celebrate America Fireworks July 4th / 9:00 PM Lake Buena Vista Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 Epcot 1510 North Avenue of the Stars Orange "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" July 4th / 9:50 PM Lake Buena Vista Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 Universal Studios 6000 Universal Blvd Orange Universal 360 July 4th / 10:00 PM Orlando Orlando, FL 32819 Disney's Hollywood Studios 2102 Epcot Resorts Blvd Orange Fantasmac July 4th / 9-10:30 Lake Buena Vista Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 Sea World 7007 Sea World Drive Orange Sea World After Dark July 4th Orlando Orlando, FL 32821 Downtown Avaolon Park Orange 4th of July Celebration Honoring Cpl. Patrick Deans July 4th Orlando Orlando, FL 32828 Lakefront Park 370 Whooping Loops Osceola July 4th Celebration July 4th / 5-9:30 PM Kissimmee Kissimmee, FL 34741 Celebration Town Center Osceola A Flashback 4th of July Celebration July 4th / 5-10 PM Celebration Celebration, FL 34747 St Cloud Lakefront 1104 Lakeshore Blvd Osceola St Cloud 4th of July Celebration July 4th / 12-10 PM St Cloud St Cloud, FL 34769
Red Hot and Boom (Over Seminole 100,000 attended in 2010) July 3,4th / 4:00 PM Altamonte Springs Seminole Celebration of Freedom July 4th / 5-9:30 PM Winter Springs Seminole July 4th Celebration July 4th / 12-9 PM Oviedo Seminole Star Spangled Sanford July 4th / 5-10 PM Sanford Seminole Red, White and Zoo July 2-4 / 6-9 PM Sanford Nascar Sprint Cup - Coke Zero 400 (Over Volusia 150,000 Expected) July 2nd Daytona Volusia Ormond Beach Independence Day Celebration July 4th Ormond Beach Volusia City of Edgewater 4th of July Celebration July 4th / 5-10 PM Edgewater Volusia Freedom and Fireworks July 4th / 4-9 PM DeBary Volusia Fireworks Extravaganza July 2nd / 5-9:30 PM Orange City Crane's Roost Park Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 Central Winds Park 1555 Winter Springs Blvd Winter Springs, FL 32708 Oviedo Mall 1700 Oviedo Marketplace Blvd Oviedo, FL 32765 Fort Mellon Park 300 North Park Ave Sanford, FL 32771 Central Florida Zoo 3755 NW HWY 17-92 Sanford, FL 32771 Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, FL. 32132 22 S Beach Street Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Kennedy Park 101 N Riverside Drive Edgewater, FL 32132 Gemini Springs 37 Dirksen Drive DeBary, FL Valentine Park Orange City, FL 32763