Terrorism

8 Signs of Terrorism

• Surveillance: Terrorists may conduct surveillance to determine a target’s strengths and weaknesses. Be aware of someone who appears to be monitoring security personnel or equipment, or gauging emergency response time.  Suspicious activities may include using vision enhancing devices or cameras, acquiring floor plans or blueprints, drawing diagrams and showing interest in security and access to facilities.
• Elicitation: People or organizations attempting to gain information about military operations, capabilities, or people. Elicitation attempts may be made by mail, email, telephone, in person or even by gaining employment at the location.
• Tests of Security: Any attempt to measure reaction times to security breaches, attempts to penetrate physical security barriers, or monitor procedures in order to assess strengths and weaknesses.
• Funding: Terrorists need to raise money for their operations and spend it in a way that doesn’t draw attention.  Be aware of unusually large transactions paid with cash or gift cards, collections for donations and solicitations for money. 
• Supplies: To conduct an attack, terrorists may need a variety of supplies, such as weapons, uniforms, badges, and communication systems.
• Impersonation: Terrorists may impersonate law enforcement officers, firefighters, mail carriers, or company employees to gain information. Someone who seems suspicious in what they say or do on the job could be a red flag.
• Rehearsal: Terrorists often rehearse a planned attack to make sure their operation runs smoothly. This may include measuring response time by emergency responders, mapping routes and determining the timing of traffic lights.
• Deployment: This is when terrorists are putting their plans into place, getting into position, and moving equipment and supplies.  If you observe this type of activity, this is your last chance to alert authorities before the attack is launched.  If you believe there is imminent danger, call 911 immediately.

VIDEO: Recognizing the 8 Signs of Terrorism

See Something, Say Something!

The nationwide “If You See Something, Say Something” public awareness campaign was created to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper local law enforcement authorities. If you see something suspicious taking place, report the behavior or activity to local law enforcement.  In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1. Factors such as race, ethnicity, national origin, or religious affiliation alone are not suspicious.  Never try to handle or intervene in the situation on your own – let trained authorities handle the situation.

Recognizing Suspicious People

Suspicious people may often be identified by their behavior. While no one behavioral activity is proof that someone is planning to act inappropriately, these factors can help you assess whether someone poses a threat.

Behavioral factors to watch for include:

• Nervousness or other signs of mental discomfort.  This may include sweating or “tunnel vision” (staring forward inappropriately).
• Inappropriate, oversize, loose-fitting clothes (i.e. a heavy overcoat on a warm day).
• Keeping hands in pockets or cupping hands (i.e. holding a triggering device).
• Constantly favoring one side or one area of the body as if wearing something unusual/uncomfortable (i.e. a holster). Pay attention to someone who is constantly adjusting waistbands, ankles, or other clothing. Suicide bombers have been known to repeatedly pat themselves to verify that the bomb vest or belt is still attached.