Homeland Security at Home
Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as local government agencies are working every day to prevent terrorism in America. But as private citizens, there are some things that we can do in our own neighborhoods as well.
Know the Neighborhood Routines
Be alert as you go about your daily business. This will help you learn the ‘normal’ routines of your neighborhood, community, or workplace, and understanding these routines will help you spot anything out of place.
Be Aware
Do you know your neighbors? Make it a point to get to know them. Be on the lookout for suspicious activities such as unusual conduct in your neighborhood or even while traveling. Learn to spot suspicious vehicles, packages or mail in an office building, an airport, school or shopping center.
Take What You Hear Seriously
If you should hear or know of someone who has bragged or talked about plans to do harm to citizens in a violent attack or who claims of membership in a terrorist organization, take it seriously and call your local on duty law enforcement agency. Timely reporting of such information is of the essence with regards to local law enforcement becoming involved as we are partners in the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
HOW TO GET PREPARED
Being prepared for an emergency involves learning as much as you can and making plans to act. By reading this and following these tips is a good start. Plan ahead for emergencies to protect yourself and your family. Your family and neighbors need to know exactly what they should do in an emergency. Concerned citizens like you can take the following steps:
-
Make a list of important local numbers. Non-emergency numbers for law enforcement, fire, the FBI field office, etc. Keep a copy by the phone and make copies for family and friends.
-
Provide an emergency contact number to family members. Should an emergency situation arise, and your family is not together at that time, designate an out-of-town contact, such as a friend or relative, to whom everyone can call and report. Make sure the contact person agrees and that everyone has the number and knows how to make the call. Identify places to meet both close to home and some distance away.
How to Respond
It is important to not only prepare for an emergency, but also to know what to do should there be an emergency or you see or hear something suspicious.
Reporting emergencies. Any threat or real risk that puts lives in danger is an emergency and should be reported. You can save lives by calling 911 when:
-
You see or hear of someone carrying a weapon in an unlawful manner, using verbal threats, or suspiciously exiting a secured, non-public area near a train, bus depot, an airport, tunnel, bridge, government building or tourist attraction.
-
You see or hear someone use or threaten to use a gun or other weapon, place a bomb, or release a poisonous substance into the air, water or food supply.
-
You smell smoke, see fire, or hear an explosion.
-
You see a suspicious package abandoned in a crowded public place.
-
You see a suspicious package in your mailbox.
-
You believe a life or property is in immediate danger.
Reporting for Non-Emergencies.
Experience is a great asset to draw upon when deciding what is suspicious. You should know what is ‘ Normal’ for your neighborhood, workplace and daily routines. Should something seem ‘Outside the Norm,’ let law enforcement know. Just remember, it is your job to watch out and report. Law enforcement is trained to investigate and take further action. Just try and give the most accurate description possible of persons, situations, or vehicles and note which direction they may have gone. Call the non-emergency number for local law enforcement or the FBI in the following situations:
-
You are told or overhear someone discussing a future plan
-
To commit a terrorist act
-
To use a gun or other weapon
-
To mail or deliver a dangerous package or letter
-
To set off a bomb or explosive
-
To release a poisonous substance into the air, water or food supply
-
You hear or know of someone who has bragged or talked about killing or harming citizens in a terrorist attack or claims membership in a terrorist organization.
-
You observe a pattern of suspicious activity, such as someone unfamiliar to you loitering in a parking lot, government building, or around a school or playground.
REMEMBER—TAKE NO ACTION OTHER THAN TO INFORM YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCMENT OR THE FBI AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Back to top
|