Introduction
A threat is a vowed determination or intent to hurt or injure someone at the present or in the future. Under the criminal code, it is an offense to knowingly utter a threat to cause bodily harm to a person (Decker, 1998). It also includes; threatening someone, torching one’s property, causing destruction of one’s property, murdering someone, and intoxicating or even causing harm to a person’s animal or bird.
Most dangerous threats
Bomb threats are the most dangerous threats. It is either in form of an oral or written down threat that is made to cause destruction of property or bring about injuries regardless of whether the gadget exists or not. Potential bomb incidents pose a threat to customers, employees, assets, and generally everybody causing a lot of anxiety (Decker, 1998). Most of the bomb threats are made over the phones. Most of the bombs are imprecise as to where they are projected to blow up; most of these bomb threats are not high jinks and are mostly part of lesser crimes as extortion, torching of one’s property and burglary. The malicious actual bombings for mass destruction of property, terrorism and murder occur without any warning leaving alone threat (NYSED.gov, 2008).
Knowing the context of the threat helps you to predict the dangers if it’s a threat done personally, over the phone or on the internet depending on the type of threat. The decision to evacuate or not evacuate a threatened building is controlled by the local authority or bomb disposal experts.
Why do people make threats
It is illegal to threaten, harass, and intimidate other people despite whether the threats are via phone, mail, and internet or delivered in person (NYSED.gov, 2008). Often, we hear about threats of bombing, cases of food poisoning and terrorist attacks but we should ask ourselves why all these threats. It would be more effective to carry out violent acts without warning but still people pose threats. Sending out threats in advance leads to disaster preparedness hence measures are put in place to evade the harm posed.
If anyone really wants to harm people, he doesn’t have to warn them in advance, some of the threats posed are to scare people but they should not be taken for granted.
What to do when threatened
When you are threatened either in person or via phone you should immediately file a police report and get a restraining or protective order from a judge. After reporting someone needs to protect him/ herself since protection is critical.
The first step is to be calm and not emotional. This enables you to handle things soberly and avoids rash decisions.
Avoid being home alone and change your routine if possible. Keep all your doors and windows closed and don’t open the door for anyone you do not recognize their voice, if they claim to be police or FBI tell them to show their budges through the peephole and if you’re not sure ask them from which office they come from and call the office but don’t use a number they give you.
Direction can be distorted from the bank; the stores, offices or other places that are visited frequently. Children should not be left without proper care or supervision.
Be aware of the surroundings of your environment always. If you notice something weird get into the nearest building and wait a while before taking another exit from the building as a way to make you unpredictable as possible.
Cars should be parked near your building; alternatively, drive till your find security a escort. If you don’t can’t get anyone rush quickly back to the car and close the doors. While at home make sure that at night you keep your shades drawn and make sure that all your security lights are on.
Conditional threat
This is the use of conditional language in a threat. A conditional threat is one that someone gives you instructions on what to do. A good example of a conditional threat is blackmail; this is where one says if you don’t do this, I will do this.
References
Decker, R. R. (1998). Bomb Threat Management and Policy. New Orleans: Butterworth Heinemann.
NYSED.gov. (2008). School bomb threats are felony. Web.