Some ways they watch us

Over the years we’ve been told to report anything suspicious.  While that general advice is certainly good, it would be better to have some concrete clues for which to be alert.  Remember; suspicious means something that is unusual or suspicious to you, not necessarily anyone else. We all have an innate sensitivity to danger, which gives us intuitive warning signs. These subtle, inner red flags can help us discover terror attacks in the preparation phase.

If you remember nothing else, remember to be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are or when.

If you see something unusual, evaluate it.  After evaluating for a short time, if you can't determine if a threat exists or if you think a threat may exist, notify law enforcement ASAP. That means right away, not when you get around to it.

Terrorists will usually conduct some sort of surveillance prior to an attack.  This pre-attack activity is actually an important part of the attack to come later.  Surveillance may be a quick drive-by, just moments before an attack; or a prolonged, comprehensive assessment of a target’s vulnerabilities.

Here are some basic indicators from the FBI on how pre-attack surveillance might look.

• Discrete use of still cameras, video-recorders, or note-taking at non-tourist type locations.
• Prolonged static surveillance, using operatives disguised as panhandlers, demonstrators, shoe-shiners, food or flower vendors, news agents, or street sweepers not previously seen in the area.
• Unusual or prolonged interest in security or access control personnel, entry points and access controls, or perimeter barriers such as fences or walls.
• Unusual behavior such as staring or quickly looking away from the personnel or vehicles entering or leaving designated facilities or parking areas.
• Observation of security reaction drills and procedures.
• Increase in anonymous telephone or e-mail threats to facilities in conjunction with suspected surveillance incidents, indicating possible surveillance of threat-reaction procedures.
• Foot surveillance involving two or three individuals working together.
• Mobile surveillance using bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, boats, and small aircraft.
• Use of multiple sets of clothing, identifications, or the use of sketching materials (paper, pencils).
• Questioning of security or facility personnel.

Stay tuned, unerschrocken.