First Images of the Oslo Killer In Action [Terrorism]

These are the first images of the mass murderer Anders Breivik in action, placing the van with explosive materials in Oslo, Norway.

Breivik, a 32-year-old Norwegian ultra-right wing terrorist, placed his 2,100-pound bomb on Oslo's government district on July 22. He then went to the island of Utoya, were he started to shot people in a summer camp. In total, he killed 77 people that day.

The deranged bastard is wearing what looks like a paramilitary or police uniform and a helmet. The images were captured by CCTV cameras around the building. Apparently, nobody thought that a guy dressed in such a way parking a white van and walking away was worth a bit of investigation. But then again, I doubt anyone watches these cameras until something bad happens. [ABC Nyheter]

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How NYC Is Protecting Itself from the Terror Threat This Weekend [Terrorism]

Federal officials are currently investigating a potential car bomb plot that Al Qaeda has planned for this weekend, the anniversary of 9/11. The car bomb plot is "credible" but not confirmed and is supposed to target bridges and tunnels.

According to information gathered by intelligence, the FBI are looking for a handful of men (one possibly being a US citizen) who've been ordered by Al Qaeda to blow up a vehicle filled with explosives. The NYPD, as you already know, has built up an impressive Counter Terrorism Unit since 2001 and they will be on full force trying to prevent anything from happening. What does that mean?

It's generally the same methods—police presence, surveillance—but with extra precautions. There'll be expanded vehicle searches, more bomb sniffing dogs, increased police officers on the street, police at subway turnstiles and stations, a constant monitoring of bridge and tunnels and NYPD officers will extend their shifts by four hours through September 12th (at least). Mayor Bloomberg said, according to Bloomberg News:

"We have threats all the time. Each time we increase our security, which obviously we had done for this. Are we increasing a little more? Yes, we're increasing a little more but there's a limit to how much you can have, just because you can't have a cop on every corner. But remember, a lot of the precautions we take, you don't see — undercover and cameras and radiation detectors, using technology and undercover."

Also, the NYPD will use their quasi-navy to help identify any threats. NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly has said that the NYPD has a small unmanned submarine that can check parts of suspicious boats that are submerged. That goes along with radiation detection boats and boats to transport heavy weapon officers. Compared to 2001, the NYPD is more prepared to act and react to terrorism.

Federal officials ask that we continue on with our lives and don't let the terror threat dampen the spirit of our freedom on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. But as they always say, if you see something, say something. [Bloomberg, MSNBC, Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com]

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What the NYPD's Impressive Counter Terrorism Unit Actually Does [911]

Reuters just published a photo essay of the NYPD's Counter Terrorism Unit. The unit is loaded with heavy weapons, Big Brother-esque technology and a determination to prevent something like 9/11 from happening again.

Many New Yorkers have probably noticed the increased cop presence around the city—in subways, on streets, etc.—after 9/11 and complained about them inconveniencing their lives. And sure, some of it is more a show of force than a show of action, but there's a lot more beyond the dog and pony show.

Most impressive is the Hercules team, which is just as bad ass as it sounds—an intelligence officer, a canine unit, highway patrol unit and squad of heavily armed police officers that are ready for emergencies and tour the city to maintain their presence.

Reuters has so much more about the CTU (including gnarly surveillance tools) but what surprised me most was how the NYPD react to terrorism in other countries and then develop their own preventive measures. Bombs in London subways led to increased patrol in our subways, dirty bombs in Mumbai led to more personnel trained in urban assault tactics. The NYPD also has a presence in 11 different countries, making it the only US police department to have a worldwide reach. As we know, the best intelligence is often better at choking out terrorism than the best technology.

Check out the full photo essay over at Reuters. [Reuters]

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