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IACLEA Horus Intelligence Update

Crime & Terrorism overview in relation to Higher Education establishments in the following geographical regions: U.S.A and United Kingdom

Selected Horus Alerts

Selected Horus Alerts
  • Houston. 25/10/24. At least 50 individuals affiliated with Pro-Palestine groups and organisations staged a demonstration calling for an 'immediate' arms embargo, and against Kamala HARRIS' perceived refusal to 'hold Israel accountable' in the reported Israel-Gaza war. Reportedly, the demonstration took place outside a Kamala HARRIS campaign rally.
  • Austin. 29/10/24. Palestine Solidarity Committee at UT Austin is due to stage a meeting to teach individuals about divestment and how the University of Texas at Austin is allegedly 'tied' to weapon manufacturers who are allegedly 'funding genocide' in Gaza.
  • San Luis Obispo. 28/10/24. At least eight individuals affiliated with Communications Workers of America (CWA) staged a demonstration outside SLO County Airport, to demand better pay, health care for part-time employees, and improved workplace safety conditions.
  • Seattle. 02/11/24. NARN (Northwest Animal Rights Network) is due to stage a demonstration outside the University of Washington's Husky Stadium, 3800 Montlake Boulevard NE, against testing on non-human primates conducted at the University of Washington.
  • Washington, D.C. 28/10/24. peta2, the group's youth division, is set to host its 'award-winning virtual reality experience' Abduction in front of the Armour J. Blackburn University Center, Howard University. The experience aims to 'encourage empathy for animals suffering in university laboratories' by simulating the 'shocking experience' animals endure. According to peta2, experimenters at Howard University have subjected rats to procedures such as 'binge-drinking' sessions or 'injected rats with drugs and placed them in a beaker of water, forcing them to frantically swim to stay alive'. peta2 urged students to 'join the call for a switch to superior, non-animal research'.
  • New Orleans. 25/10/24. National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United is due to stage a demonstration outside the University Medical Center against 'unaddressed' patient safety concerns in ongoing contract negotiations.

To view more alerts, tailored to your Campus please click on the following link:

 

Education Establishments – Crime U.S.A

Most recent crime statistics collected in 2023 as part of the Clery act showed some notable trends

1. Violent Crimes: There was a general decrease in violent crimes across campuses. For example, the FBI reported a 3.0% decrease in national violent crime, which includes data from university law enforcement agencies.

2. Sexual Assault: Some universities saw significant increases in reported sexual assault cases. For instance, one University reported a sharp rise in rape cases, largely due to one survivor reporting multiple incidents.

3. Property Crimes: There was a decline in certain property crimes. Motor vehicle thefts, for example, decreased significantly at some institutions.

4. Alcohol Offenses: Many universities reported a reduction in alcohol-related offenses.

5. Hate Crime: reporting indicates that there has been an overall increase in hate crimes in universities

(Source)  (Source)

 

Impact of the Middle East conflict

Antisemitic crime

In 2024, there has been a notable rise in antisemitic incidents at U.S. universities. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there were 2,087 anti-Israel incidents reported on college campuses between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024. These incidents included assaults, vandalism, harassment, protests, and divestment resolutions. This increase has significantly affected Jewish students and communities across various campuses.

 

Pro-Palestine encampments

Following the Israeli response to the Hamas attack of 7th October 2023, and subsequent invasion of Gazza a number of student encampments were established at Universities in the USA. Unofficial reporting suggests that in May 2024 there were occupations, walkouts, or sit-ins on nearly 140 campuses across the United States, with students demanding universities divest from Israel and address other related issues.

Outlook

It is assessed that at present there is unlikely to be any cessation of protests moving into 2025. Protesters may, having seen the university’s response to encampments, shift away from establishing new encampments in order to explore other forms of direct action or protest to promote the cause. However, from research undertaken, it is also apparent that in some cases others see encampments as a success in highlighting their campaign and may consider a potential return.

(Source)

Active Shooter Incidents

In 2023, the FBI designated 48 shootings as active shooter incidents. Although incidents decreased by 4% from 2022 (50 incidents), the number of active shooter incidents increased by 60% since 2019 (30 incidents). The 48 active shooter incidents in 2023 occurred in 26 states and represent five location categories: open space, commerce, education, health care, and residence. 

Based on location, 28 incidents (58%) occurred in open spaces, followed by 14 in commerce (29%), Three in education (6%), two in health care (4%), and one in residence (2%).

At the time of writing 2024 figures remain unpublished.

(Source)

Education Establishments – Terrorism U.S.A

In 2024, there has been a notable rise in antisemitic incidents at U.S. universities. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there were 2,087 anti-Israel incidents reported on college campuses between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024. These incidents included assaults, vandalism, harassment, protests, and divestment resolutions. This increase has significantly affected Jewish students and communities across various campuses.

Furthermore, the recent terrorist attack in Germany and that by a lone actor on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans is a reminder that the threat from International terrorism remains.

(Source)

Overseas Study – United Kingdom

Crime

In the UK, university crime statistics are less centralized. However, research by the online publication Unifresher (https://unifresher.co.uk/cities/national/the-most-dangerous-universities-and-cities-revealed-2/) published in 2024 indicated that crime rates at UK universities have varied significantly across different institutions.  The publication identified what they termed as the top ten dangerous universities. It is worth noting that this is based on crime and the location of the campuses.

Aston University tops the list with the highest crime rate, followed by Birmingham City University and London School of Economics. Other universities in the top 10 include Liverpool John Moores University, Teesside University, and University of Wolverhampton.

De Montfort University, King’s College London, University of Bradford, and Coventry University.

Terrorism

The current national terrorism threat level set by the UK government is at SUBSTANTIAL, indicating an attack is likely.   Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack, including knives, firearms, and vehicles, to target crowded places more effectively. Terrorist groups continue to use social media to inspire or direct ‘lone wolf’ attacks which are difficult to predict and disrupt and could take place in almost any country. The last known terrorist incident in the UK happened in October 2023 when a male, Ahmed Ali ALID, stabbed 70-year-old male to death in Hartlepool and seriously injured another man, who survived. ALID claimed the attack to be an act of protest against the Israel–Hamas war. He was sentenced in May 2024 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 44 years.

Espionage

The UK is a high priority espionage target for Hostile foreign intelligence services (FIS) and the threat from espionage to the UK government is assessed to be SEVERE, espionage is highly likely to occur. Hostile FIS are almost certain to seek to gather intelligence on a broad range of subjects, including foreign policy, defense, financial, technological, industrial, and commercial interests.

(Source)

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Meet the Horus North America team

Doni Whitlow

Horus North America Business Manager

About Me

 

Lewis A. Eakins, PhD, CPP

Intelligence Advisor

About Me

Brad Berwick

Intelligence Advisor

About Me

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Doni Whitlow – Horus North America Business Manager

Doni joined Horus North America in August 2021 as the Business Manager with 15 years experience in management. She oversees HNA's business affairs, including finance and business operations.

Doni holds a Bachelor degree in Business Management from Southern University and A&M College and a Master's in Business Administration from Texas Southern University. She also holds her Texas Private Investigators (PI) License.

 

Lewis A. Eakins, PhD, CPP – Intelligence Advisor

Lewis A. Eakins, PhD, CPP has over 40 years of law enforcement, emergency management, private investigations, and consulting experience. He most recently retired as the Vice President for Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana encompassing 19 campuses, 50+ sites, and 170,000 students. His department had oversight for Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Public Safety, Emergency Management, Business Continuity, Environmental Health & Safety, and Federal Compliance.

 

He was formerly the Chief Security Officer & Director of Public Safety at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID; the Chief of Police at Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL; a Captain with the METRO Transit Police in Houston, TX; and the Assistant Chief of Police at Texas Southern University, also in Houston, TX.

 

Lewis holds undergraduate degrees in Police Science and Criminal Justice from Calhoun Community College and Athens State University, respectively. He obtained a Master of Science in Security Management from Bellevue University, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a concentration in Homeland Security Policy & Coordination from Walden University. He is also a graduate of FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy, Cohort III.

 

Lewis is board certified (CPP) in Security Management by ASIS International. He is a recent Director-at-Large for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). He has served as a committee chair for IACLEA, and he led the effort that created the First-Line Supervisor’s Institute for the association.

 

Lewis has presented nationally and internationally on many topics impacting campus public safety and law enforcement. He serves as a trainer and subject matter expert for several federal agencies addressing emergency operations planning, threat assessments, trauma-informed investigations, diversity, and public safety leadership.

Brad Berwick – Intelligence Advisor

Brad is a seasoned security and investigations professional with over thirty years of experience, including a distinguished 12-year tenure as a Secret Service agent in Houston, Texas, and Washington, D.C. In 2014, he transitioned to a major Oil and Gas company in Houston, where he served as an Investigations Manager. His expertise led to an expatriate role in London in 2017, where he became the Head of Investigations for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

 

Returning to Houston in 2022, Brad assumed the role of Head of Ethics and Compliance Integration and Case Management, showcasing his versatility in navigating complex corporate environments. In January 2024, he joined the Horus North America team, bringing his extensive knowledge and experience to assist businesses in finding proportionate and cost-effective solutions to their unique security concerns.

 

Brad's background includes conducting security/vulnerability assessments, surveillance, counter-surveillance, and leading fraud and misconduct investigations. He is adept at preparing documents for court and providing courtroom testimony. A U.S. Army veteran, Brad earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University and holds licenses as a private investigator in the State of Texas.

 

His commitment to professional development is evident in his graduation from the criminal investigations course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the investigations and physical protection courses at the U.S. Secret Service training center. Throughout his career, Brad has served in various leadership roles, reflecting his passion for helping leaders establish a culture of care and accountability as a first line of defense for security.