(NewsNation) — The arrests of three teens in Austria who allegedly wanted to commit an act of terror at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna was “an averted tragedy,” according to an American security expert.
“This is an example of the system working,” said Ben Joelson, head of security risk and resilience at The Chertoff Group. “There was collaboration between intelligence officials.”
Joelson said Austria’s “Cobra” team moved quickly to make the arrests.
But when it comes to feeling safe at a huge event like a Taylor Swift concert, how do the security pros feel?
“If we stop living, then the terrorists win,” said former FBI and CIA agent Tracy Walder, who added that she has taken her child to see Swift.
Walder is also glad that inter-country cooperation foiled the plot in Austria, while Joelson says security planners are always looking to make an event safer.
“There are countless hours and countless professionals that are working every day in the private and public sector to secure these events. If there’s a warning … we’ll obviously alter our plans, but otherwise, we’re going to press on and live our lives.”