Abstract
Case 1
Strengthening the Transportation System
By: Charnell Cassette
Homeland Security and Defense
Professor Aaron Richman
Immediate attention needs to be given to transportation for this case study. I have
already given my opinion on why and how we have enough security, but need versatility. This
case study will allow me the opportunity to elaborate on how to strengthen our homelands’
security by tightening up on our nations’ borders and transports.
The present state of immigration in this country is abhorrent to say the least. We allow
millions of illegal immigrants into this country from all over the world by several modes of
transportation. I actually travelled to Juarez, Mexico in 2007. I accepted a contract to work in
Iraq to do UXO clean-up and had to do all of my deployment processing at Fort Bliss, Texas.
While at Fort Bliss a friend of mine and me decided to cross the border to party. Getting into
Mexico was very easy to say the least. And getting back into the U.S. was even easier. We were
driving a rental vehicle with no government placarding or tags and only the driver was asked to
show identification. Our trunk space, back seat area and under carriage were not even
considered for a search. We crossed from Juarez Mexico into the U.S. in under twenty minutes
unscathed and on a Saturday night. This night was the busiest day of the week and was ironically
the best time to sneak into the country illegally. I am sure that if the employees working that
night were better educated and were given incentives to prevent illegal immigrants or materials
into the U.S. we would be much safer. How stringent was the background check on the
employees at the border?
I chose transportation as a targeted infrastructure for several reasons. The first is
because terrorists attack various areas of transportation to kill and maim innocent
Strengthening the Transportation System
By: Charnell Cassette
Homeland Security and Defense
Professor Aaron Richman
Immediate attention needs to be given to transportation for this case study. I have
already given my opinion on why and how we have enough security, but need versatility. This
case study will allow me the opportunity to elaborate on how to strengthen our homelands’
security by tightening up on our nations’ borders and transports.
The present state of immigration in this country is abhorrent to say the least. We allow
millions of illegal immigrants into this country from all over the world by several modes of
transportation. I actually travelled to Juarez, Mexico in 2007. I accepted a contract to work in
Iraq to do UXO clean-up and had to do all of my deployment processing at Fort Bliss, Texas.
While at Fort Bliss a friend of mine and me decided to cross the border to party. Getting into
Mexico was very easy to say the least. And getting back into the U.S. was even easier. We were
driving a rental vehicle with no government placarding or tags and only the driver was asked to
show identification. Our trunk space, back seat area and under carriage were not even
considered for a search. We crossed from Juarez Mexico into the U.S. in under twenty minutes
unscathed and on a Saturday night. This night was the busiest day of the week and was ironically
the best time to sneak into the country illegally. I am sure that if the employees working that
night were better educated and were given incentives to prevent illegal immigrants or materials
into the U.S. we would be much safer. How stringent was the background check on the
employees at the border?
I chose transportation as a targeted infrastructure for several reasons. The first is
because terrorists attack various areas of transportation to kill and maim innocent
References: U.S. Department of Transportation, Enhancing Security of Hazardous Materials Shipments Against Acts of Terrorism or Sabotage, Using RSPA’s, Risk Management Self-Evaluation Framework (RMSEF). (January 2002). Retrieved from http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/rmsef.pdf on September 4, 2010 U.S. Department Of Homeland Security, National Infrastructure Protection Plan. (2009). Retrieved from http://bb.philau.edu/@@971BEB047CEF98705231334CFCC2A6C5/courses/1/DMM-612-1-10FLGR/content/_370119_1/embedded/Week%202%20NIPP_Plan.pdf on September 4, 2010 TK ASSOCIATES, LLC, Terrorism Solutions. (2010) Retrieved from http://www.tkassociatesllc.com/terrorism_solutions.html on September 4, 2010 Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Advancing the Security Baseline, Mass Transit. (2010). Para, 3 Retrieved from http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/tsnm/mass_transit/sec_baseline.shtm on September 4, 2010