SECTION 4: RISK ASSESSMENT
the surface, in the air or at high altitude.
Mass demonstrations, or direct conflict by large groups of citizens, as in riots and non-peaceful strikes, are examples of public disorder. These are assembling of people together in a manner to substantially interfere with public peace to constitute a threat, and with use of unlawful force or violence against another person, or causing property damage or attempting to interfere with, disrupting, or destroying the government, political subdivision, or group of people. Labor strikes and work stoppages are not considered in this hazard unless they escalate into a threat to the community. Vandalism is usually initiated by a small number of individuals and limited to a small target or institution. Most events are within the capacity of local law enforcement. The Southern Poverty Law Center defines a hate group as any group with “beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people – particularly when the characteristics being maligned are immutable.” It is important to note that inclusion on the SPLC list is not meant to imply that a group advocates or engages in violence or other criminal activity. The SPLC reports 43 active hate groups in North Carolina. Five hate groups identified by the SPLC have a footprint in Wake County, with three identified in Raleigh, one in Apex, and one in the county.
Warning Time: 4 – Less than 6 hours
Duration: 4 – More than one week
Generally, no warning is given for specific acts of terrorism. Duration is dependent on the vehicle used during the terrorist attack. This score takes into account a prolonged scenario with continuous impacts. LOCATION A terror threat could occur at any location in the County, but are more likely to target highly populated areas, critical infrastructure, or symbolic locations. In terms of cyber-attack, our society is highly networked and interconnected. An attack could be launched from anywhere on earth and could range in impacts from small and localized to a far-reaching global scale. Depending on the attack vector and parameters, a cyber-attack could impact all of Wake County and its associated municipal jurisdictions. EXTENT The extent of a terrorist incident is tied to many factors, including the attack vector, location, time of day, and other circumstances; for this reason, it is difficult to put assess a single definition or conclusion of the extent of “terrorism.” As a general rule, terrorism incidents are targeted to where they can do the most damage and have the maximum impact possible, though this impact is tempered by the weapon used in the attack itself.
Impact: 4 – Catastrophic
Spatial Extent: 1 – Negligible HISTORICAL OCCURRENCES
There has never been a major terror attack in North Carolina, but several terror related incidents have been prevented through the arrest of terrorism suspects, the disruption of terrorism planning and training activities, and the response to lone suspect attacks. North Carolina has for decades dealt with homegrown extremists with a propensity for terror and violence. Examples of these extremists include militia groups, white supremacy groups, sovereign citizens, and left wing/right wing extremist groups. In 2009, seven longtime residents were arrested in the rural Wake County subdivision of Shadow Oaks on suspicion of plotting terrorism and for providing money, training, transportation, and men to help terrorists. All seven conspirators were found guilty and sentenced for terrorist activities documented
Wake County, NC Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
WSP June 2024 Page 266
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