City of Frederick, Maryland

 

 

 

     OPERATION SAFEGUARD

BULK FUEL

 

            As described in the accompanying letter, Operation SAFEGUARD is based on the idea that certain legitimate businesses and industries may be unknowingly exploited by terrorists who portray themselves as honest customers seeking to purchase, lease or somehow appropriate certain material, licenses and/or services to covertly further and facilitate a terrorist plot.

 

The following may be general indicators of potential terrorist planning or activities. Alone each indicator can result from legitimate recreational or commercial activities or criminal activity not related to terrorism; however, multiple indicators combined with other information can possibly suggest a terrorist threat.

 

  • Physical surveillance, which may include note taking or the use of binoculars, cameras or maps near key facilities.
  • Attempts to gain sensitive information regarding key facilities or personnel through personal contact or by telephone, mail or e-mail.
  • Attempts to penetrate or test physical security and response procedures at key facilities.
  • Attempts to improperly acquire explosives, weapons, ammunition, dangerous chemicals, flight manuals or other materials that could be used in a terrorist attack.
  • Suspicious or improper attempts to acquire official vehicles, uniforms, badges, access cards or identification for key facilities.
  • Presence of individuals who do not appear to belong in the workplace, business establishment or near a key facility.
  • Behavior which appears to denote planning for terrorist activity, such as mapping out routes, playing out scenarios, monitoring key facilities and timing traffic flow or signals.
  • Stockpiling suspicious materials or abandoning potential containers for explosives (e.g., vehicles or suitcases).

 

            The following examples of activity relating to Bulk Fuel, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:

 

  • Theft of fuel or unexplained loss from your business inventory or tractor-trailer tanker.
  • Theft of equipment, tanks or vehicles used to transport fuel.
  • Customer requests to purchase unusual amounts of fuel, not typical of most transactions, or an unusual method of payment.
  • Unusual inquiries from strangers concerning how to store bulk fuel or handle it on premises.
  • Apparent surveillance of your facility or business by unknown persons monitoring the arrival or departure of fuel trucks.
  • Reports by employees of unknown persons observed trespassing on your property or taking photographs of your facility and/or equipment.
  • Reports by employees of being questioned by suspicious individuals as to their routine or activities.

 

Your impressions and assessment based upon your professional business experience are extremely valuable and should help guide you in determining if a customer request, a fact pattern or set of circumstances is unusual. Please remember that the conduct itself does not have to be criminal per se for you to report it to the Frederick Police Department. We may be contacted 24-hours a day, seven days a week by calling:

 

301-600-2100

 

SGT Dennis K. Dudley

Planning Division

Frederick Police Department

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, MD 21702

301-600-1206 (Office)

301-600-2082 (FAX)