US law enforcement and intelligence agencies are concerned about potential copycat vehicle-ramming attacks following a recent incident in New Orleans. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and US National Counterterrorism Center issued a bulletin warning about the attractiveness of such attacks to aspiring attackers.
Key Points
Ease of acquiring vehicles and low skill threshold make such attacks attractive to potential attackers
FBI confirmed the New Year's Day attacker was inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group
Law enforcement agencies are on high alert to prevent further incidents
Pros
Increased awareness of potential threats can lead to better preventive measures
Collaboration between law enforcement and intelligence agencies to address security concerns
Providing information to the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities
Cons
Heightened fear and anxiety among the public
Potential racial or religious profiling based on the nature of the attack
Impact on public events and gatherings due to security concerns