27 July 2004.
James Atkinson calls upon Kerry and Edwards to tear down the protestors'
pen:
http://cryptome.org/dnc-teardown.htm
26 July 2004.
James Atkinson writes 26 Jul 2004 15:51:07 -0400:
Yahoo has just restored access to the TSCM-L list. They are refusing
to tell me why they muzzled it in the first place, but given that Yahoo has
been all over my website today I suspect they realized that the governments
attempt to muzzle me backfired.
James also reports on the protesters' pen -- the "Free Speech Zone":
No building permit was obtained for the enclosure and it lacks an occupancy
certificate for a place of public assembly required by law. There are
insufficient exits, the fence netting is made of flammable materials and
there are no fire extinguishers. The pen is unsafe should not be used willingly
by the public. It should be preserved as a historic landmark to Boston's
loss of liberty in the name of illusory security.
25 July 2004. DNC, government security and Yahoo try to muzzle James Atkinson:
http://cryptome.org/dncsec-yahoo.htm
25 July 2004. James Atkinson answers a reader's questions:
At 12:42 AM 7/25/2004, A wrote:
A: I would like to make some comments and ask some questions about your
recent essay on Cryptome about the security at the DNC in Boston. First of
all, I would like to thank you for the extensive essay and photographs that
you provided. I was a bit shocked at what I saw, or perhaps, what I did not
see. What I am curious about, though, is whether or not there were plans
to put in the proper cables and straps to link the Jersey barriers shown
in your photos that were not anchored to each other.
JA: There was no provisions made to link the Jersey barriers together, and
as of 9 PM tonight there were no cables in place or staking pins used.
There was plenty of time to do this in the past, there is not time now.
The security fencing they are setting up has similar problems as you need
to both pin them together AND attach an "integrity cable" to the tops (none
of this has been done).
Also, the base of these fences are designed so that first you put down the
panels, then put in the pins and chain, then set down Jersey barriers on
the "foot" of the fence. Failing to do this will allow protesters to scale
the fence and use their body-weight to pull the fence over.
A: It is hard for me to tell when those photos were taken. Could there
have been enough time between the time that you took those photos and now
(with the security zone around the Fleet Center now in place).
JA: Some pics were taken on 7/16, some between 7/19 and 7/23, and a few (not
yet published) taken 7/24.
A: Also, I note with interest your essay and photos about the HVAC system.
Now, with the security zone buttoned-up around the Fleet Center, could there
be a chance for them to do a sweep of the HVAC system now that the public
and unauthorized people are excluded? Perhaps with bomb-sniffing dogs and
other tools?
JA: Such a sweep would be useless as the hostile substance would have already
been blown around the ventilation system for two weeks. You have to create
a sterile corridor at least 3-4 weeks in advance, NOT 48 hours. During this
3-4 weeks you can lockdown the area in a more effective manner, but you simply
can not do it in 2 days.
A: I have also noticed in the Boston Globe
(www.boston.com) that they are planning
to block access to the Fleet Center using large dump trucks filled with dirt.
Could this tactic alone alleviate any issues regarding the Jersey barriers?
Could the Jersey barriers be only for temporary protection until the emplacement
of the dump trucks, which would be impossible to move aside with any vehicle
that is smaller than a fully loaded dump truck?
JA: They are light-duty dump trucks used to haul salt for the city. When
fully loaded the trucks generally weigh less then 25,000 lbs. Given that
the dump trucks are positioned with the engine closest to the sidewalk, and
the tail of the truck hanging across the center of the road they actually
provide little security. This is a simple case of barrier mechanics, with
the back of the barrier vehicle being the most easiest to push out of the
way.
The requirement is that the "battering ram" or breaching vehicle weigh at
least a fourth or more the weight of the vehicle to be knocked out of the
way. Then it is only a case of correctly aiming the attacking vehicle straight-on
and at a high enough speed to "bounce" the barrier vehicle out of the way.
A 20- or 24-foot-long U-Haul truck filled with drums of water driven at a
speed of 30-50+ MPH could easily bounce one of the dump trucks out of the
way with no problem. You could also "bounce" the dump truck with a Chevrolet
Suburban, but the driver would need to impact the dump truck at a speed of
at least 40-45 MPH, and 55-60 MPH would be ideal.
The proper dump trucks to use would be ones much large, and much heavier,
with 20 times the load of the ones they are using now. The key is the number
of axles on the back of the dump truck, so in this application you would
need three axles in back.
23 July 2004. James Atkinson writes:
I spent a few more hours out at the DNC location, and noticed the following.
First, there are a few more uniformed police officers present today (I counted
four), plus a half dozen plain clothes sitting around trying really hard
to be undercover, and invisible. It's rather funny as their observation points
were poorly selected, but i guess they could have just been practicing..
Much of the fencing that was across the front of the Pavillion was been taken
down, but someone visiting the area can just walk into the pavilion and wander
around. No security present.
The Verizon trailers and trucks scattered around the building are not secure
in any way, the door(s) were either propped open and unoccupied, or the doors
were unlocked. NO security around these communications facility.
The HVAC systems are still insecure, the access hatches still are not locked
down, and the area is easily accessible by anyone who cares to open and play
with them. No security, nothing to keep someone from sabotaging the units,
and contaminating the units with a nerve agent, of biotoxin like anthrax,
etc.
Zero access covers on the streets and sidewalks have been secured, zero sewer
grates have been welded or secured, and I could not find even one manhole
cover that had been secured. No security, major liability.
While there has been juggling of the jersey barriers over the past few days
in the area, the problem has just gotten worse as many jersey barriers have
been clustered together, but have not been anchored, or interconnect. Also,
quite a number of the new placements are not solidly on the ground, and could
be easily twisted out of the way by 3-4 college students. A number of gaping
holes has also been created around the Tip O'Neill building that are wide
enough to drive a really large truck through (if someone wanted to park a
semi truck or Ryder truck in the steps of the Federal building). Also, no
visible security other that a small number of really poor quality video cameras
and speed domes. No visible FRP weenies outside the Federal building, nor
the surrounding area.... Walmart has better security at one of their stores,
then this convention has.
The "Free Speech Zone" is a joke, and it nothing more than a way to intimidate
protesters and to keep them locked up and out of site in what is best referred
to as "an Ashcoft Monkey Cage". The "zone" is poorly designed, poorly built,
and serves no legitimate purpose from a security perspective. The fence posts
are not anchored into the Jersey Barriers, and the fence fabric is so poorly
attached to the poles that it can be easily torn off. Also, the fence posts
can be very simply broken free of the fence fabric due to the small number
of poorly installed soft aluminum staples/wires. This would give the protester
a very heavy steel pole that can be used as a lethal weapon, a battering
ram, and to cause a huge amount of damage. If protesters are not allowed
to protest they tend to become violent, and go on a riot, with the Fleet
Center being the likely focal point of any riot.
The security arrangements for the convention are screwed up really, really
badly and it presents a very grave situation. Instead of implementing effective
security measures the government has opted for gadgets and gimmicks, pork
barrel projects, and press releases about the government is trying to look
busy, but is not really doing anything to protect the public. Hopefully they
remembered to buy extra body bags as they may need them.
It's too bad that the government really doesn't care... and that they are
just giving the DNC security lip service.
Related:
http://cryptome.org/dnc-dauphine.htm
http://cryptome.org/dncpen-eyeball.htm
http://cryptome.org/dnc-secplan.htm
19 July 2004. Other comments on Fleet Center insecurity by James Atkinson:
http://www.brain-stream.com/blog/archives/000286.html
18 July 2004
A report from James Atkinson, Granite Island
Group, on what's wrong with security at the Democratic National Convention
at Fleet Center, Boston, MA, based
on a survey of the facilities. Photos were taken recently during an unencumbered
tour of the facilities and area.
1. Single security official on duty.
2. Inept security barrier installation.
3. Unprotected Media Pavillion adjoining Fleet Center.
4. Unprotected Media Pavillion ventilation system.
5. Unprotected telephone installation trailer.
6. Unprotected Fleet Center.
7. Unprotected temporary tents.
8. Insecure manholes.
9. Other vulnerabilities.
See Eyeballing the Fleet Center Boston:
http://cryptome.org/fleet-eyeball.htm
Fleet Center web site:
http://www.fleetcenter.com/
Traffic Information for the Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is coming to Boston and the FleetCenter
from July 26-29. This is the first national political convention to take
place since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the United States Department
of Homeland Security has declared it to be a National Special Security Event.
Accordingly, a number of road and lane closures will take place from Monday,
July 26th through Friday, July 30th that will have a major impact on traffic
in the region. Please
click here
to download a detailed version of all the transportation restrictions
or for information specifically for businesses and residents in the Bulfinch
Triangle area. For continually updated information, please visit
www.boston04.com, the official website
of the Convention Host Committee.
Source
| Construction photos of the pavillion in June 2004 (located
at Future Development in map above). |
Source |
Source |
|
This first series of images is that of a "dark sedan, with tinted windows,
and kept just a little too clean",which was illegally parked in a handicap
spot. The Placard in the dash identified the vehicle as belonging to "U.S.
Department of Homeland Security", with the second line of the placard reading
"U.S. Secret Service". The antenna on the rear of the vehicle, and quasi-covert
blue strobes indicates the vehicle is likely that of someone responsible
for the (in)security of the area. The driver of the car made several trips
between the bar were it was parked, and when he finally left he appeared
to be somewhat impaired, and was driving erratically, almost running down
three pedestrians in a crosswalk. As the license plate number is clear in
these picture is should be easy to track him down and explain to him about
illegal parking and drunk driving. The vehicle was also emitting signals
created by a GPS tracker/beacon which indicates the vehicle is likely bugged. |
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|
The "Jersey Barriers" and barricades that have been erected around these
areas are a complete joke, and serve no purpose than to give people a place
to sit while eating lunch. The barriers are scattered in an extremely haphazard
arrangement, and are not effective as a security measure against anything
larger than a Toyota Echo driven by a drunk freshman. The have not been staked
down with heavy steel bars about 5-6 ft long. Also, most of the barriers
lack the "J-hooks" that lock the barriers together, and then extends into
the ground. Also, these Jersey barriers also have to be bound together with
either grade 80 or 100 3/8-inch chains, or three strands of 3/8-inch steel
cable.
The barriers are in extremely poor conditions, are not properly installed,
and provide nothing more than an illusion of security. Anybody with even
a small pickup truck could push several out of the way. Anyone with a larger
truck (i.e., a 24-ft Ryder Truck) would have no problem slamming into these
barriers, knocking them out of the way, and engaging in a nefarious action. |
 |
 |
 |
|
In these first few images we see gates that are unlocked, and being that
there is no security (or anybody else in the area) someone with nefarious
intentions could easily enter the building and wreak all kinds of havoc,
or leave something to provide a dramatic incident during the convention.
Note the gate that is unlocked, and the chains just hanging there. Other
construction areas are equally un-protected, and the security people are
just, well... missing. Sadly, the local Walmart Store has better security
that this. |
 |
|
These modular generator and ventilation systems are extremely dangerous to
use as the intakes are not protected, and the access doors into the system
are not secure. This means that, currently, anybody could open and sabotage
any of these systems. A biologic or radiological agent could be inserted
here as such the system would ensure it is well distributed thoughout the
complex very quickly. Also, due to the noise, strong smells, and vibration
present in these modules someone with nefarious intentions could plant a
fairly large (hundreds of pounds) infernal device. Note that these access
panels are completely exposed and not protected, they are not blocked by
a fence, and there is no police officer nor security people near any of them. |
 |
|
There are several of these Verizon special event communication trailer, and
as you will no doubt notice there are no police or security people anywhere
near it. Both the door, and the access panels are unlocked. Also, notice
that the fence are not properly secured to the trailer, and that someone
could easily slip between the trailer and the fence and gain full, unrestricted
access to the DNC areas for hours at a time. These communications trailers
are a major vulnerability as any damage to these during the DNC would cripple
security and logistics (in the event of a security anomaly). Look carefully
at the pictures and you may see a DNCC Security pass laying on the ground
nearby (evidence of a clumsy workman). If someone were to pickup this security
pass they could really cause some mayhem. |
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|
These photos show vulnerabilities of Fleet Center due to contruction, almost
no security personnel and free access to the facility. |
 |
|
These photos show a temporary tents being provided which are unprotected
during installation. |
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|
These photos show unsecured manholes, access panels and grates around Fleet
Center. One appears to have been welded shut at one time, but was since re-opened
to access the manhole. None of these grates and covers have been
secured, and you really can not secure the cover until the area below it
has been deemed safe. As this has not been done and the covers have not been
secured there was no security concerning these underground areas. It would
be EXTREMELY easy for someone to hide hundreds, if not thousands of pounds
of explosives of chemical weapons in these unsecured areas at the DNC.
Even if all of these areas were secure and the covers tack-welded shut
the hammer at lower right can easily break tack-welds. |
 |
|
These photos show other vulnerabilities:
Upper left -- unprotected VIP parking.
Upper right -- unprotected parking below the facility command center.
Middle left -- uninspected taxis adjacent to Fleet Center.
Middle right -- uninspected large backpacks in and around the facility.
Lower left -- unprotected access to upper level of causeway adjoining Fleet
Center.
Lower right -- unprotected access to area below causeway adjoining Fleet
Center.
The VIP parking areas are completely void of anything remotely resembling
security, and, sadly, the area is directly below the security office at the
Fleet center/DNCC. This very sensitive area could be easily destroyed by
someone driving a car bomb into this parking area and taking out at least
a fourth of the building. In fact someone driving a Hummer, Suburban, or
other large SUV filled with explosives would easily collapse the building
and cause thousands of casualties. Note that there are no security people
present in this area, nor cops, nor FPS, and not anything but a void.
People carrying very large, heavy backpacks were walking around and though
the unsecured DNCC areas, and sadly the security and cops were simply
absent. Any of these people could have easily slipped something nefarious
into the hundreds of unsecured area in and around the DNC. They were not
being challenged or questioned by the Police as there simply were none present,
nor was there anything resembling a security force protecting the preparations
for this extremely high profile event. |
 |
All photos Copyright 2004, Granite Island Group, All Rights Reserved.
