Hometown Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) most important mission is to protect the American people.  As part of this mission, DHS fosters collaboration between the private sector and the public sector to mitigate risk and enhance the security and resilience of public gathering sites and special events.

DHS provides expert counsel and recommendations on protective measures that organizations of all sizes can implement to protect facilities and venues. These tools and resources are offered free to communities because the Department recognizes that communities are the first line of defense in keeping the public safe and secure.

CISA’s Hometown Security program provides access to tools and resources to support community security and resilience; DHS recognizes that communities are the first line of defense in keeping the public safe and secure. For more resources to help be prepared, visit the products below.

Security Resources

• Homeland Threat Assessment evaluates the strategic threat environment and anticipates future or emerging threats. This document helps inform interagency policymaking, agency prioritization, resource allocation, and inter-governmental partnerships
• Personal Security Considerations fact sheet encourages critical infrastructure owners and their personnel to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior that individuals may exhibit in order to thwart an attack.
• Pathway to Violence – Warning Signs and What You Can Do explains warning signs that may lead to violence and what individuals can do to mitigate a potential incident.
• Employee Vigilance Through the Power of Hello promotes employee vigilance to empower employees to observe and evaluate suspicious behaviors, mitigate potential risk, and obtain help when necessary.
• Protecting Infrastructure During Public Demonstrations and Outdoor Eating Venue Fact Sheet provides security recommendations for infrastructure owners and operators who may encounter unlawful acts during public demonstrations.
• Suspicious or Unattended poster and postcard provides a process to safely determine if an item is a serious threat or just unattended.
• Bomb Threat Guidance provides site decision-makers with pre-threat preparation, threat assessment considerations, staff response guidelines, and evacuation and shelter-in-place considerations.
• Vehicle-Borne IED Identification – Parked Vehicles assists in recognizing potential indicators of a suspicious parked vehicle.
• What to Do Training Video Series provides guidance to security officials, the general public and many other stakeholders about the steps they should take to protect themselves and others from bomb incidents.
• Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program fact sheets (Bomb-Making Materials Awareness: Your Role (AWR-911) Fact Sheet; Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Employee Training (AWR-921-W) Fact Sheet; Bomb-Making Materials Awareness Program (BMAP) Community Liaison Course (MGT-450) Fact Sheet; BMAP Program Factsheet) describe the benefits of bomb-making awareness efforts, and identify courses to help you recognize suspicious purchasing behavior and conduct community outreach.