Pre-eminent Expert on Terror Psychology Calls On Local Governments to Take Action

Terror-psychology expert calls on local governments to encourage citizens to join war on terror through citizen awareness programs.

(PRWEB) July 13, 2007 -- Responding in concert with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff's concerns about the increased risk of summertime terrorism, one of the nation's pre-eminent experts on the psychology of terror has issued a statement calling on state and local agencies to encourage private citizens to join in the war on terror.

"Big as it is, the Department of Homeland Security can't be everywhere. It is important that Americans get involved and not be afraid to act on their instincts," said Dr. Kathleen Puckett, a founding member of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Program whose 23 years as an FBI agent culminated in fighting terrorism.

Big as it is, the Department of Homeland Security can't be everywhere. It is important that Americans get involved and not be afraid to act on their instincts

Trusting instincts and getting critical information to first responders like the police and fire departments can be crucial. The ambulance crew in London proved that last weekend. Every American should carry the phone numbers of the local police and FBI and should not hesitate to report suspicious behavior.

Whether the terrorist is homegrown or international, the best defense is recognizing disturbing or very unusual occurrences in the local environment. It gets down to that. The war against terrorism is a local matter. It is a fact that local governments must realize.

Puckett, a clinical psychologist, urges local governments to raise the public consciousness through programs aimed at raising awareness in sensitive areas. "Whether the terrorist is homegrown or international, the best defense is recognizing disturbing or very unusual occurrences in the local environment. It gets down to that. The war against terrorism is a local matter. It is a fact that local governments must realize. "

Dr. Kathleen M. Puckett, is co-author of the forthcoming book "Hunting the American Terrorist," which includes the findings of a behavioral law enforcement study of domestic terrorism. Her work as the behavioral expert on several domestic terrorist cases led to significant new insight into the importance of both positive and negative connections between people as a key element in the psychology of terrorism.

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