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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Jihad Jane, American who lived on Main StreetMarch

Jihad Jane, American who lived on Main StreetMarch 10, 2010 2:45 p.m. EST

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Colleen LaRose called herself Jihad Jane online, authorities say
She wrote that she was desperate to help Muslims
She's linked to group in Ireland that was interested in waging "jihad," or holy war, police say
She is in jail now and faces arraignment in a week
(CNN) -- The Pennsylvania woman who dubbed herself Jihad Jane is an American who lived literally on Main Street in an apartment where she spent much time online, posting messages saying she was "desperate to do something" to help Muslims.

Colleen LaRose, a 46-year-old who converted to Islam, has been indicted, accused of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and kill a person in a foreign country, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

She was not well known in her neighborhood in Pennsburg, an hour north of Philadelphia. One of her neighbors reacted to the news by saying, "It scares the hell out of me."

LaRose was arrested October 15, officials say, but that was kept under wraps to protect another ongoing investigation. She's in custody in Philadelphia and faces arraignment in a week.



Video: Who is Colleen LaRose?

Video: 'Jihad Jane's' neighbors react
RELATED TOPICS
Terrorism
U.S. Department of Justice
The Justice Department has said LaRose and five alleged co-conspirators recruited men on the Internet "to wage violent jihad in South Asia and Europe, and recruited women on the Internet who had passports and the ability to travel to and around Europe in support of violent jihad."

LaRose, who is reportedly divorced, was very active online, authorities say.

In one posting on a social networking site, she wrote about marrying a Muslim man overseas.

In February 2008, she wrote: "Asalamalakum [peace be unto you]. You make me so happy, I cannot put into words. Inshallah [God willing] one day I will be at your side as your wife and never leave your side."

Four months later, she called herself Jihad Jane in a message saying she was "desperate to do something somehow to help" Muslims.

From December 2008 to October 2009, LaRose engaged in electronic communication with the five co-conspirators about their shared desires to wage jihad and become martyrs, according to the indictment.

LaRose is also linked to the online organization Revolutionmuslim.com -- where she was a subscriber, again using the name Jihad Jane. The site is run by an American Muslim who has called the Army psychiatrist accused of a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, a hero.

A posting on the site Wednesday said: "Sisters -- please consider sending her [LaRose] a message of support and hope and let's remind her she isn't alone. It's likely she's the only Muslimah there. As always, use discretion when writing, don't ask pointed questions, and of course don't say anything that could create problems for her or yourselves."

LaRose had a boyfriend whom she lived with until August of last year. The man's initials are in her indictment.

Records show she was arrested twice in 1997: once for DWI and once for passing a bad check in the San Antonio, Texas, area. She moved from Texas to Pennsylvania in 2004.

In 2005, LaRose attempted to commit suicide, according to a police report filed at the time. She was depressed about the death of her father, the report from Pennsburg Police Officer Michael Devlin says.

She told Devlin she swallowed as many as 10 pills of cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant. The pills were mixed with alcohol.

"Colleen was highly intoxicated and having difficulty maintaining her balance," Devlin wrote. I "questioned LaRose about harming herself, at which point she stated she does not want to die."

Devlin was dispatched to check on LaRose in response to a 911 call made by LaRose's sister in Texas, who was worried LaRose might try to kill herself.

CNN's Susan Candiotti contributed to this report.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Haiti security compared to New Orleans Katrina

I have been contacted by so many people over my thoughts of the security needs in Haiti, I figured its easier to post here.

I think companies have a lot of wishful thinking and a lot of agents do as well when it comes to Haiti. I have gotten a huge amount of calls over Haiti and everyone is shocked that it is not open to security companies in general and then, even more shocked that weapons are not allowed. Many people have said this is just another Katrina..

It is very, very far from both of those instances. Let’s look at Katrina first. Katrina was in the United States, US allows weapons if you have permits. Louisiana allowed companies to obtain licensing very easily within a few days. Katrina was simple, bring in RV’s, bring in food, fuel, water etc with you from neighboring states, fly in to a airport not very far from the destruction rent a car and drive into New Orleans. If you were licensed you could carry a handgun, shotgun or M4. You had areas of responsibility of where to protect such as banks, relief areas, hotels etc. No one was given permission to patrol streets, yes a lot of companies did that in camo gear and sniper rifles but that was not the mission. It was private companies needing security for their people and property. Later contracts for patrol etc came about through viable channels, state, local and federal contracts. Unlike Haiti there was a working government in place, laws were still being upheld. It was slow for sure but there was never complete breakdown on a basic level as in Haiti.

Haiti is a nation with laws. The hierarchy for policing is still the Haitian Government agencies, such as police. They may be decimated but that is still the action. Everything I have read or spoken to at the consulates and embassy is the hierarchy is Haiti Police first, then UN Security then possibly the US. Why would companies think they can fly in and go to work without Visas, licensing and permits? It is being reported now from US State Department that you are not going to DR or Haiti without Visas, and you will be arrested for carrying weapons. Why do companies think they can get around this?

I have seen a thousand postings that companies are saying they are ready to land in 48 hours and are awaiting permission to carry weapons, where is the permission coming from, Haiti? From UN? One company said you could bring your own weapons and they would supply the ammo, ok great, tell me how you transport your weapons back, you might want to make sure you have the paperwork and permission to do so, but that isn’t being told to people. I talked to a few companies and they aren’t offering any type of medical to the teams, when I mentioned that agents should have International SOS or something like that for emergencies they thought I was crazy.

A company is advertising in Craigslist for security officers for a Haiti detail, seriously?

Here is exactly the advice I have given to everyone that has called about working in Haiti, get everything in writing, check it against sources in State Department and Haitian Consulates, because at the end of the day it’s your ass that will be in lockup, not the president of the company sitting warm and dry in the US.

Just my two cents.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

The French say we are "Occupying" Haiti

John Thys, AFP / Getty Images
Alain Joyandet, France's minister for cooperation, was whistled back by others in the government after suggesting the U.S. was out to occupy Haiti.

US Faces Down Concerns It's 'Occupying' Haiti - Sphere News

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Breaking point Discovery Channel

The show Breaking Point made its debut last night on the Discovery Channel in Canada. The first episode has our very own Harry Coyne driving an armoured limo, and helping bring it to its " Breaking Point" Click on the link below to get a preview of the show. As more videos and links become available to us, they will be posted as well.

http://www.discoverychannel.ca/Showpage.aspx?sid=23327

Way to go Harry!!! Think you could of kept all four tires on the road???

It's a big day in MA, make sure you get out and vote wisely.

The senate special election is taking place today in Massachusetts, to fill the late Edward Kennedys spot.With both parties airing adds every five minutes on primetime television, they have given the people of Massachusetts something to think about.


Polls open in special US Senate election - Local News Updates - The Boston Globe

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Emergency Response

Since the Haitian crisis has hit we have been contacted by a number of companies to visit the country. Simply put that is exactly what they have said they want to visit and to make it happen. Well as a Disaster Management company and High End Security firm this is where we excel. Problem with this is the clients have no idea what they want to do or need to do.

We have been on constant phone calls with a company that cannot make up their mind when they want to go, leaving form where, which personnel would go what they need to take with them, etc.

In the mean time, we are contacting agencies and Haiti's resources in the United States to make sure we follow appropriate rules and regulations along with figuring out how to conduct an advance in a location that has been shot back literally into the middle ages.

As professionals, this is what we work for, a challenge. When though does this not become a challenge and in turn become a non reality. My answer is simple, when the client cannot give you enough information to even try to draw a battle plan so to speak.

With this in mind, my thought is that these client companies need to sit down prior to an emergency that is either to their firm, or somewhere that may affect them by their choosing or not. We need to sit with these clients and basically instruct them how to get out of their own way. Decisions need to be made in advance of turmoil and unrest. Procedures need to be put into place, who makes the decisions, when is an idea a good one or a bad one?

Here is a basic outline for clients and anyone else for that matter that needs to be discussed, planned and practiced to make everyday options and decisions go smoother.

1- Plan for the worst event possible.
a. I know this sounds like an over statement, but, Murphy’s Law dictates when you don’t expect it, WHAM. Know your abilities, your responsibilities and your limits in a crisis beforehand.
2- Make the Plan and Implementation a game.
a. Write out all worst case scenarios, juggle them around on different pieces of paper or cards, pick at random and then write down what you think you would need to accomplish not only surviving, but excelling during a given situation.
3- When the game finished, tally up the score.
a. Once you have finished role playing with worst case scenarios and have answered realistically on your notepaper, what are the common answers? What were your answers that now seem farfetched, remember the US Special Forces are NOT going to land on your property and defend you.
4- Make a list of the most common responses.
a. Take your list, and move them in order of first to last. This may sound simple but think of your needs first, if personal list then water would be on the top of the list. If your corporate structure is damaged then the first would probably be securing the area and personal.

Simply put Plan, Prepare, and Practice!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

UN. More than 100 staff members missing in Haiti

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/13/haiti.un.mission/index.html

Discovery Channel Canada

If you're able to watch the Canadian Discovery Channel, tune in on January 18th 2010 to watch our very own Harold Coyne from Coyne Consulting group try and help bring an armoured limo to its breaking point.


Premiering Monday, January 18 at 9 p.m. ET/11 p.m. PT on Discovery Channel, BREAKING POINT orchestrates a series of jaw-dropping experiments and spectacular stunts to test the sturdiness and stability of those big things we use and take for granted everyday – such as a house, a car, or a boat. And that’s when the fun really gets started! Through a series of progressively dangerous and destructive tests, the team must figure out just what it takes to break it. From armoured limousines and houses to boats and tankers, get inside the heart of the destruction like never before. Then, with the latest forensic technology, discover how the team uses the information from the lethal flaws to engineer ingenious ways to make it safer; proving that sometimes the only way to improve something is to destroy it.

Thousands feared dead in Haiti quake; many trapped - Boston.com

Thousands feared dead in Haiti quake; many trapped - Boston.com

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In the news, some of our past interviews

Recent Media Coverage of Coyne Consulting Group
Boston Globe - Vehicles for well-to-do take safety to an extreme, February 29, 2004
WCVB-TV Boston Channel 5 - Interview about Armored Vehicles and Their Role
Security Products Magazine Publication, Body for Hire, August 2002 ISSUE
KNZ 1070 LA CBS Radio Segment - Interview on United States Secret Service Policy, April 21, 2006
Baltimore Sun - Article on security procedures at BWI airport, May 28, 2006
Corporate Investigations, Second Edition Authored Computer Forensics chapter
CNN Boston, Interview of our Founder, Harold Coyne, speaking on evacuation of Lebanon
Boston Globe - Standing guard for the Rich and Famous, February 26, 20

Welcome!

Coyne Consulting Group, Inc., focuses on all aspects of corporate and private security and investigations, including specialization in the areas of: Technology, Security, Training, Investigations and Certified Protective Services. Our firm provides the complete security solution.

Coyne Consulting Group, Inc. has carried out a variety of functions for numerous clients. The Federal and State Governments have recognized our company officers as experts in computer forensics, personal security and facility security. Numerous local, national and foreign clients have hired Coyne Consulting Group, Inc. to ensure their safety and the security of their personal and business privacy.

Coyne Consulting Group, Inc. officers conduct classes and seminars on technology and security in the workplace. Also, as international business relationships grow, Coyne Consulting Group, Inc. is available to conduct informational seminars on foreign countries to help executives and firms make safe business and travel decisions. Along with protecting the work environment, Coyne Consulting Group, Inc., also offers Executive Protection and Security. Clients have included government officials ranging from Representatives, Senators, Governors, dignitaries of foreign nations, and Fortune 500 corporative executives, celebrities, and families.

With more than 50 years experience in the field, specifically in the areas of security, investigation and technology, Coyne Consulting Group, Inc. can address and fulfill all your security needs.



Coyne Consulting Group informational quick film