Ridgewood NJ, FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a stark warning on Thursday, revealing that Chinese government-affiliated hackers have infiltrated critical infrastructure in the United States and are poised to strike at a moment’s notice. Speaking at Vanderbilt University’s 2024 Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats, Wray detailed an ongoing Chinese hacking campaign dubbed Volt Typhoon, which has successfully breached numerous American companies operating in telecommunications, energy, water, and other vital sectors. Alarmingly, 23 pipeline operators have been among the targets.
Washington DC, nice to see the FBI focusing on the “bad guys” . FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Oct. 31 that the U.S. is at significant risk for a HAMAS-inspired homegrown violent extremist terrorist attack. The warning follows the Oct. 7 terrorist group’s attack on Israel. FBI intelligence analysts assessed that lone actors will be inspired by or react to the ongoing Middle East conflict. These individuals or small groups pose the most likely threat to Americans, especially Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities in the U.S. “The actions of HAMAS and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate several years ago,” Wray told the U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security Committee during a recent hearing on worldwide threats. In just the past few weeks, multiple foreign terrorist organizations, including ISIS and al-Qa’ida, have called for attacks against Americans and the West. While the terrorism threat level has remained elevated throughout 2023, Wray said the Israel-HAMAS conflict has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the U.S. to a “whole ‘nother level.” He noted that there’s no information indicating HAMAS’s intent or the group’s capability to attack the U.S. but said it’s a possibility that cannot be discounted.
“violent crime remained at alarmingly high levels”
by FBI Director Christopher Wray
Washington DC, in law enforcement, our most fundamental duty is to ensure people can live free from fear—a task that has become more challenging over the past few years. FBI crime statistics released in October showed that in 2021, for the second year in a row, violent crime remained at alarmingly high levels. From conversations I routinely have with police chiefs and sheriffs every week, those violent crime trends have continued throughout 2022.
Ridgewood NJ, according to the Wall Street Journal ,one of the earliest public debates about blacklisting TikTok in the U.S. isn’t taking place in Washington. It is happening in South Dakota’s second-most populous city. The Rapid City council on Tuesday will consider a proposal to ban TikTok (TikTok has 1 billion monthly active users.) from city-owned devices and networks, and to prohibit city agencies from using the app. Championing the idea is a councilman—and potential mayoral candidate—who calls TikTok a security threat.
New York NY, Each year, as the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, the country is reminded of the unprecedented losses suffered. As we approach the anniversary and honor the fallen, the Justice Department also honors the survivors, particularly those who are experiencing 9-11 health related illnesses. The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is increasing its efforts to identify those who may be eligible for compensation because they suffer physical health effects as a result of their exposure but are not aware of the VCF, and seeks to award compensation to those who continue to suffer. As part of this outreach effort, FBI Director Christopher Wray and VCF Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya hosted a public forum for approximately 150 federal law enforcement officers today to provide vital information about federal programs that are available to those who responded to the attacks in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 11, 2001.
FBI Statement on the Shooting in Parkland, Florida
February 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, On January 5, 2018, a person close to Nikolas Cruz contacted the FBI’s Public Access Line (PAL) tipline to report concerns about him. The caller provided information about Cruz’s gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting.
Under established protocols, the information provided by the caller should have been assessed as a potential threat to life. The information then should have been forwarded to the FBI Miami Field Office, where appropriate investigative steps would have been taken.
We have determined that these protocols were not followed for the information received by the PAL on January 5. The information was not provided to the Miami Field Office, and no further investigation was conducted at that time.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said:
“We are still investigating the facts. I am committed to getting to the bottom of what happened in this particular matter, as well as reviewing our processes for responding to information that we receive from the public. It’s up to all Americans to be vigilant, and when members of the public contact us with concerns, we must act properly and quickly.
“We have spoken with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy. All of the men and women of the FBI are dedicated to keeping the American people safe, and are relentlessly committed to improving all that we do and how we do it.”
