Preventing Targeted Violence

Lone offenders and small cells of individuals motivated by a range of violent extremist ideologies, of both domestic and foreign origin, continue to pose a persistent terrorism-related threat facing the United States. Mass targeted violence attacks that lack a distinct ideological focus, such as many of the mass shootings in U.S. schools, have also increased in recent years. Further, many Bad Actors exploit online platforms to spread hate, sow discord and division, and promote narratives to encourage violence.

The Bay Area UASI has worked to prevent acts of targeted violence and terrorism across the region by increasing societal awareness and formulating non-traditional partnerships across multi-disciplinary sectors. The collaborative force of these projects help mitigate potential threats before they escalate into harmful acts.

Program Contact

Example TVP projects include:

  • Utilizing a public health approach

    Utilizing a public health approach to violence prevention, the UASI successfully reached over 10,000 members of the Bay Area community including school staff, students, mental health/social service providers, and law enforcement to assist them in recognizing the behavioral signs and preventive actions they can take to guide an at-risk individual off the pathway to violence.  

  • NCRIC

    The NCRIC expanded its Threat Assessment Team efforts, providing training and resources to local law enforcement agencies to recognize behavioral indicators of radicalization and violent intent. This work strengthened the region’s law enforcement capacity by enhancing intelligence sharing and identifying threat assessment protocols.  

  • Two regional school safety symposiums

    Two regional school safety symposiums were planned and implemented in partnership with the San Mateo County Office of Education and the Monterey County Office of Education. The symposiums welcomed a diverse group of stakeholders to foster collaboration across sectors to support and protect school communities, including school district leaders, school governance team members, business and community partners, law enforcement and first responders, public safety officials, probation officers, healthcare workers and elected officials.