REPORTING POTENTIAL TERRORIST ACTIVITY

We are fast approaching the tenth anniversary of the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001.  Anniversaries of certain events such as 9-11 are important to our enemies.  We should not be paranoid, but we do need to be prudent.  Even in a rural area such as Bedford County, we all need to be vigilant and report suspicious activity. Below are suggested guidelines on how to recognize and report potential suspicious terrorist activity detected in our community.  All of our residents have an obligation and a duty to keep our county and country safe by getting involved in reporting suspicious activity.                                                                        

 

What To Do If You Spot Suspicious Terrorist Activity: If you see suspicious behavior, do not confront the individuals involved.

Take note of the details (SALUTE):

S – Size (Jot down the number of people, gender, ages, and physical descriptions)

A - Activity (Describe exactly what they are doing)

L - Location (Provide exact location)

U – Uniform (Describe what they are wearing, including shoes)

T – Time (Provide date, time, and duration of activity)

E - Equipment (Describe vehicle, make, color etc., license plate, camera, guns, etc)

The following should cause a heightened sense of suspicion:

• suspicious or unusual interest
• surveillance (suspicious in nature)
• inappropriate photographs or videos
• note-taking
• drawing of diagrams
• annotating maps
• using binoculars or night vision devices

Unusual Purchases or Thefts

Terrorists need supplies to carry out their attacks and accomplish their goals.

Pay attention to purchases, rentals or thefts of:

• police, security, public utility, mail carrier, or airline uniforms and equipment
• explosives
• weapons
• ammunition
• propane bottles
• toxic chemicals
• vehicles able to contain or haul hazardous materials
• Storage facilities with suspicious activity related to their use

Additional suspicious activity may include:

• Someone bragging or talking about plans to harm citizens in violent attacks or who claims membership in a terrorist organization that espouses killing innocent people.

• Suspicious packages, luggage, or mail that have been abandoned in a crowded place like an office building, an airport, a school, or a shopping center.

• Any type of activity or circumstance that seems frightening or unusual within the normal routines of your neighborhood, community, and workplace.

• Someone unfamiliar loitering in a parking lot, government building, or around a school or playground.

• Anyone asking a lot of questions ‹ especially concerning routes or loads or drop-off times.