Former FBI Agent: Plot Against Pope Wasn't Serious Threat
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In the wake of an arrest of a 15-year-old would be terrorist who was hoping to launch an ambitious attack during the Papal visit, former FBI Special Agent Jeff Lanza assessed the threat and the risk faced by those tasked with protecting the Pope and visitors to Philadelphia when he arrives later this month.
Lanza told Chris Stigall on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT that this particular plot did not rise the level where it posed a serious risk.
"You have a minor who, it sounds like, they've been inspired by ISIS through social media. People at that age are very easily swayed in their opinions and swayed to take action. This was probably not anything that would've resulted in harm to the Pope given the security level, given this kid's a 15-year-old and hardly would've been able to do what he was trying to do. So, I think that's why the police are downplaying it. But security issues involving any person, especially such a high profiled person like the Pope are always going to be a concern."
However, he pointed out that this type of terrorist attack that worries law enforcement the most in advance of big events, like the World Meeting of Families.
"The FBI's biggest concern, ever since 9/11, is of the lone-wolf or the person that's already in this country that has become radicalized from one source or another. That's what happened, apparently, in the Boston Marathon bombing. We have people in the country, it's not like they came from outside the United States where they have to go through, at least, some sort of screening and background checks to get here. These people are already here and the advent of social media and the communication ability they have with others may be radicalized already. It's a lot easier for them to then fly under the radar screen until they get to the point where they can take action."
Lanza reiterated the need for the public to always be on alert for strange behavior or circumstances and to contact police when confronted with something.
"Law enforcement appreciates the concern and even if it pans out to be nothing, which is what we want, I think law enforcement will be very appreciative that someone took the time and effort if they thought something was suspicious. You never really know. Again, the bad guys only have to be right one time. If I was a law officer, I'd rather have ten suspicious reports that didn't turn out to be anything than one that was not reported that turned out to be something."
