HOUSTON ASIS CHAPTER MINUTES

May 28, 2003

The Chapter held a luncheon meeting at the Renaissance Hotel. Chairman Mike Crocker CPP presided. Seventy-eight members and guests attended.

Opening Prayer: Mike Mallon led a moment of silence in honor of Law Enforcement Month and the men and women who have died in the line of duty.

Opening Pledge: Mike Crocker

Committee Activities:

Certifications Committee: Darin Dillon CPP announced the 7-10 participants are half-way through this session. He particularly wanted to thank the great speakers who’ve supported the program.

Treasurer’s Report: Bob Cascino stated there were outstanding bills from the Golf Tournament. Copies of the report were distributed.

Golf Tournament: Bob Cascino announced the estimated revenue was in excess of $19,000 with an anticipated contribution of $9,000 to the U of HD CJ Scholarship Fund. He particularly wanted to thank Mark Caldwell, with AIG, for the only Corporate Sponsorship ($1,000). Several other supporters were acknowledged, including but not exclusive of: Securitas, HEB, John Hatcher, Newbart Products, One Source, ISSC and D/A Mid-South. Additional recognition went to Committee members Mike Mason, Darin Dillon and Mike Crocker.

ASIS Foundation: Greg Walker explained that the Foundation provides scholarships and other benefits to the Chapter. The Houston Chapter has purchased a table (10 seats) for the Foundation Dinner at the National Conference. We were the first Chapter to reserve a table and will be given preferential placement. Members may purchase a seat back from our Chapter for $180. The Neville Brothers will be appearing. Greg also encouraged anyone who plans to take the CPP test to apply for the scholarship for the CPP Review class at the National Conference.

Community support: HPD Capt. Mark Curran thanked the Chapter for the $500 donation to the Houston Police Bicycle Relay Team for the 22^nd Annual Ride from Houston to Edmonton. Donations benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. An international team will leave from M.D. Anderson Hospital on 6/24 and arrive on the eighth day in Edmonton, Canada.

Annual Seminar: Richard Hill reminded the Chapter of the seminar on August 12 & 13. The brochures will be going out within the next two weeks.

ASIS Regional: Richard Lisko CPP is a new member of the Certification Board and is assisting RVP Lisa Smith. He gave an overview of the new certification programs available: PCI and PSP. The program is an effort to reach out to different levels in the profession. These two new certifications are NOT replacing the CPP, but can be considered a “step” program towards the CPP. It is not advantageous for a CPP to apply for these certifications as the information is covered on the CPP exam. More information is available on both the National and local web pages. Mr. Lisko also invited everyone to participate in the Regional Golf Tournament in Austin on July 28 & 29.

Law Enforcement Recognition Award: Presented by Mike Mallon

Our honoree this month was HPD Sgt. Russell Miller. His supervisor Lt. Kennedy read his citation.

On March 22, 2003, shortly after 23:00, Sgt Russell Miller was traveling in the 500 block of the North Loop East when he saw what appeared to be a large pile of burning garbage between the service road and freeway. When he realized that it was a crumpled hulk of a vehicle involved in a single-car accident, Sgt Miller feared that the driver might still be inside. He contacted 911 and cautiously approached to find the driver alive and partially conscious.

Since the vehicle’s left front wheel was crushed into the driver’s compartment where the driver’s legs would be positioned, Sgt Miller knew it could be difficult to extract the victim. While the flames edged closer, Sgt Miller climbed into the rear passenger seat, took hold of the victim, but could not move him as the man’s lower body was pinned in the wreckage.

Refusing to give up, Sgt Miller instructed the citizens who had gathered at the scene to locate fire extinguishers or water. One citizen produced a fire extinguisher that proved ineffective against the flames, while other citizens used crowbars and large tools to break windows and tear away the twisted metal. With little time to spare, a citizen handed the sergeant a half-full, five-gallon bucket of water he had gotten from a nearby store. Sgt Miller threw the water on the fire and it momentarily quelled a portion of it. The sergeant called for more buckets which were then ferried to the scene by several citizens. As a result of their efforts, the flames were brought under control until the fire department arrived. After the fire was extinguished, the doors were cut away and the victim was removed and transported to the hospital with massive head and body injuries.

Because of the courageous and determined actions of Sgt Miller, and the valuable assistance of the citizens who stopped and gave aid, a man’s life was spared.

The Chapter awarded Sgt Miller a plaque in appreciation of his dedication and professionalism.

Speaker: David Lattin, Director, Industry Practices (Kidnap and Ransom), The St. Paul Companies

Topic: “It’s the Advisors, Stupid!”

Mr. Lattin is the national practice leader for the St. Paul K&R product. The St. Paul Companies is 150 years old. Lloyd’s of London is wholly owned by The St. Paul Companies. K&R products provide insurance for kidnap, extortion, product extortion, detention and hijack incidents.

David received a BS degree in the Administration of Justice from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. He joined Control Risks in Munich, Germany where as a Special Agent of the U.S. Naval Investigative Service he was primarily engaged in counter-espionage operations and counter-intelligence investigations. He served five years active duty as a U.s. Marine officer specializing in Security and Provost Marshal Duties. He has recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. After 11 years as a kidnap and extortion advisor with Controlled Risks Group, a London headquartered security consultancy, he is considered one of the more informative K&R speakers in the nation today. During the turbulent 90’s, David deployed over 65 times to global incidents of kidnap, extortion and product tampering, mostly involving cases insured by Lloyd’s of London. He has traveled to 52 countries. David is an ASIS Chapter member in Oregon.

Kidnap includes home invasions. Extortion is a threat against a demand. Product extortion is a threat through product tampering (“I will poison your product if….”). Examples of detention include using someone as a human shield or keeping someone in prison on a bogus crime in an effort to extort money. Since 9/11, there have been approximately 8 incidents of airline hijacking, but hijacking can include any method of conveyance such as a ship or bus.

There are many types of kidnapping: carjacking, ATM, home invasions, airline hijacking, etc. The motives are political, financial or humanitarian. Humanitarian reasons usually switch to financial. The perpetrators can be individuals or gangs (particularly internationally); professional or non-professional; and the kidnapping may be planned or opportune. 91% of the victims are local nationals; the other 9% are foreign nationals (employees working in another country). The “average” person is the most likely victim because they are the most vulnerable; wealthier individuals usually have strong security details. In the case of the “average” person, it is their employer that is the target, not the individual’s personal wealth. Victims are selected because they represent wealth (corporate or private) or are seen to be accessible.

Kidnappings can have extended duration (over 100 days), although most are negotiated in 1-10 days. There are approximately 25,000 incidents globally every year. Only 10% get media attention. 77% of the kidnappings occur in South America, predominantly Columbia. 42% occur when the victim is en route by car; 25% from their residence. 92% of the demands are for cash; 2% are for publicity; 2% for the release of other prisoners.

Coercive techniques include inferring death, multiple threats, and silence. Silence means taking the victim, notifying the family/corporation/media and then not contacting them again for a length of time; one year is the record. The average demand is $500,000 to a million; the average settlement is $100,000-500,000. Only two known settlements were in excess of $5 million. A Japanese national is “worth” the most. 7% of the victims are killed/died in captivity; 4% escape; 14% are rescued; 47% are released, 28% of the outcomes are not known. Time is your friend. The faster you ratchet it to a conclusion, the higher the risk. 50% of victims are killed during rescue attempts. There are more known deaths due to kidnapping in the U.S. because it’s usually perpetrated by non-professionals and therefore they are most likely going to be caught (so they kill their victim when located). Also, the motive is usually not for financial gain but psychotic reasons (revenge).

Preventative training is critical. Being outside your known environment makes you feel unsafe. An advisor can help your employee prepare to work/live in a new environment.

Do your homework. When seeking help, use established tested, registered, bonded advisors. The contractor should have worldwide coverage, be experienced in kidnap negotiation, be experienced working with major intelligence and local law enforcement agencies; is multi-lingual and provide 24 hour response. The advisor provides crisis management skills, strategy, persuasive and objective advice both for personal and commercial interests, analysis, tactics, and negotiating skills. They also act as a liaison with all participants (law enforcement, family, and employer). Advisors are advisors not participants. They do not investigate the crime, attempt to locate or rescue the victim, negotiate directly with the kidnapper, carry ransoms or compete with the police.

The only objective a corporation can have is to bring the victim/employee home safely. The advisor can support that objective by providing pre-incident training (deterrence and preparedness), incident response (by gaining control and recovering the victim) and post-incident support (evaluation and review of the plan). Having K&R insurance does NOT encourage crimes, as the insurer gives active help in preventing the incident of kidnap and extortion. Think of fire or homeowner’s insurance. It does not encourage arson or theft and most people carry that insurance. However, it is binding to keep the existence of the policy confidential.

Other policy benefits include: ransom payments, loss of ransom while in transit, services of a security consultant for an unlimited time, fees of the security consultant, legal liability, personal accident, interest on loans, travel and accommodation expenses, personal financial loss, salary of the victim, salary of the replacement employee, and medical care. Short-term insurance is also available.

A final thought: “Know Before You Go”.

Mr. Lattin was presented with a plaque in appreciation for his time and expertise.

Our next meeting is June 25, 2003.