During the years 2001-2004 Israel faced a dramatic increase in suicide terror attacks in public areas (as many as 10-12 events monthly). Since 2005 there has been no such terror on the cities’ streets of Israel.

Let us look at how Israel has managed to cope with and counter this terrible threat and analyze in particular one of the key factors in this fight, the role of private security organs in the greater security system.

Among the reasons for Israel’s tremendous ability to cope with such daily threats, we can identify four main traits, which have strengthened our resilience in the face of the unrelenting terror and violence that has plagued us for so long.

Firstly is the presence of a strong leadership, which has shown in the past that it can put aside differences to steer the nation and give them strength when the security of the nation as a whole is at risk.

Secondly the Israeli homeland security apparatus (Police, Military and Other Security Services) is well trained and well equipped to deal with contemporary threats quickly and effectively.

Thirdly is the civilian population itself. Israeli citizens have all done military service and their level of preparedness aided in quick and effective response to acts of violence, minimizing their effect, aiding in recovery afterwards and even contributing to outright prevention. Their support for the leadership's solutions enabled us all to find the strength to withstand and overcome terror and violence at its worst.

The fourth factor is the presence of a very involved and dynamic private security sector that fill in the gaps where the government cannot and contribute to completing a solid and steady line against threats to the Israeli public.

We will now expand on this somewhat unique involvement of the private sector in homeland security.

Because of the situation in Israel there are many private security companies especially because security is required for any place in which large groups of people may gather. This security needs to cope not only with the traditional petty crime that their counterparts outside of Israel have to but also with the threat of terrorism in its various forms and even attacks on the home front during a war. Serious terrorist attacks have often been thwarted not by police or special forces but by an observant security guard on the ground.

In order to act effectively the relationship between private security companies and the government has had to become very open and very mutually inclusive.

Private security companies are informed by police intelligence briefs of potential threats; all private security training is government regulated, Government emergency and natural disaster plans are designed to factor in the private companies and their employees. A good example can be the recent Homeland Security drill held in Israel where the entire country underwent a simulated ballistic missile attack. Private security guards evacuated civilians from public areas, coordinated rescue services and police forces as well as worked under them when the situation called for it.

Cooperation between private security companies and government security entities can be a great asset to the function of both as well as being able to provide better protection for human life, which is essentially the greatest goal for all to strive towards.

Governments and private security companies in other countries should be encouraged to enter such a beneficial relationship and do away with much of the antagonism and perceived competition that exists between them. As we experienced here the correct balance of roles is a result of much trial and error but a commitment by both sides will ensure a better living environment for all and a more effective counter to those who choose to threaten the tranquility of that environment.

Shane Goodson, Coordinator
International Security Academy

Comments from last week's article:

"I am one that does remember the murder of Pastor Daniels. I agree fully with your comments that not much has hit the press or the airways about her violent death, starting from the date of the crime and continuing until now. Even though our church is in a small community like Pastor Daniels church, it is still hard to convince people that these crimes can happen anywhere. I have a great group of volunteers on our safety ministry and very supportive church leadership, but it is still hard to shake a lot of them loose from their "small towns are inherently safe beliefs", which they have grown up with. We need to continue to do as God directs and believe that He is in control and He see's our frustration and concerns. I believe He does and will continue to direct our path's in this ministry, otherwise I allow the frustration to get a foothold. I have found that one on one conversations with team members can be effective, they do respect experience in law enforcement and will listen. They want to do what God directs and only need tools, information and training, that's where we come in." TC

"YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON THE MONEY JEFF!! I LIVE IN OKC. AND IT SEEMS THAT "CHURCH FOLKS" ARE ONLY CONCERN WITH JUST "MOVING ON" WHILE THEY FORGET THAT A KILLER IS WALKING AMONG US!WE WHO ARE CALLED MUST ALWAYS STAY OBSERVANT, AND EVER VILGILANT." KW

"I myself also did not hear about Pastor Daniels and are taken back by how some people can take a person who would give all they had to help people and be so awful to them.. but I know The Lord will take care of this in the End." BE

"I am ashamed to admit that when I first read the headline the name was vaguely familiar, but I did not remember who it was.  After reading the View I remembered almost every detail.  Whenever there is a church shooting I have developed a routine - I go to the city closest to the incident with a large circulation newspaper, read the account of the incident and share it with every member of my security team.  I do this for the next five consecutive days so that I have as thorough a knowledge of the incident and facts surrounding it as I can.  My goal is to LEARN from the incident. I followed this procedure with the Carol Daniels incident, but as you said the media moved on and I got involved in all the other aspects of my life.  A few days ago I happened to think about the incident and wondered if the killer was ever found or any more information was obtained.  I was sad to read the answer in this week's View.  With the building now demolished the case is probably permanently filed in the "Dead, Unsolved Cases".  Perhaps someone could interest America's Most Wanted in it because they have started doing a lot of "Cold Case" reports in the past year. I agree with you this should not be shelved and definitely not forgotten." LB

"Perhaps (just perhaps) the reason the media ignored Ms. Daniels is because there was not a "gun" used and she was not an abortion doctor. I think many of us would agree that the media is not concerned about human life unless it promotes their agenda. Killing an abortion doctor makes it look like Christians who are pro-life are quacks and killers. I agree with you that a human life is a human life and we should be equally outraged when anybody is killed." WE

"I agree with you. It is very odd how silent folks have been on this given the sensational manner in which she was killed and the meida's love for a good, dirty murder story. My guess is the reson the "church world" has been so quiet is because she was from a small, church with noone to really champion her cause( no denominational affliation, not a large congregation, not well known etc). It is a shame that the death of this servant of God has been swept away and forgotten by His people." BB