State police campaign brings mass attack prevention online

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Michigan State Police are sharing tools to help people around the state learn the signs that someone is planning a “targeted act of violence” or mass attack. It’s part of an online campaign called “Stop a Plot.”

The campaign includes a bleak online video featuring a detective reviewing clues of a fictional mass shooting, saying people saw the clues but were afraid to report it to police.

Col. James Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, says the campaign comes after the state has fallen victim to horrific attacks like the recent mass shooting at a Rochester Hills splash pad and last year’s shooting at Michigan State University . He stresses that noticing the actions of a loved one could help prevent similar tragedies.

“Noticing that there are some changes in their behavior, maybe in their mental state, really helps us in in the profession of law enforcement, or prevent any type of mass attacks,” he says.

The campaign includes a webpage where people can submit a tip to the police. It also breaks down the types of clues someone could present, like newly aggressive behavior, collecting weapons supplies, or daily target practice.

It also lays out risk factors that could leave someone susceptible to falling into violence, like radicalization or going through financial, marital, or job-related stress.

Grady says the campaign meets people where they are—online.

“We’ve got to let them know that these resources are available,” he says. “The more people are educated and armed with the information, they can call in and let, you know, first responders know.”

Michigan State University criminal justice professor and cybercrime researcher Tom Holt says most radicalization now takes place online. Sharing valuable information like red flags to look out for fits well in a digital landscape.

“If you have the ability to communicate in those same environments, ‘Hey, if you see something unusual, if you understand that a friend or a peer or someone else is starting to go down a path that’s concerning you, here is an opportunity to report,'” says Holt.

While Grady says the campaign’s timing with the peak of summer events is not directly related, Holt says it’s a good strategy to keep the public aware.

While school shootings typically occur during the academic year, Holt says major events could still become a target for bad actors.

“Outdoor events like concerts like baseball games, anything where you have a large contingent of people in one space, presents an opportunity for someone who’s interested in causing a mass violence incident, so summer is a good time to think about this,” says Holt.

He says the timing also speaks to the rise in political activity ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in threats against various public entities, whether it say, secretaries of state or even local election boards. So getting people aware of what a threat could look like or who do you talk to about it is very helpful,” he says.

The “Stop a Plot” campaign not only provides a way to leave a secured tip with the state police, it also lists resources for mental health resources . Col. Grady says while his team monitors the world online, public tips from the real world can help make a difference.

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