City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION SAFEGUARD
FLIGHT SCHOOLS
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 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 Flight Schools, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible
concern to law enforcement:
·
The
name, address or any other personal information presented by a student on an
application is believed to be fictitious. (For example, attempts by school
officials to contact an individual using this information are
unsuccessful.) Any attempt to obscure
true identity of a student or parent.
·
Facts relating to a student’s visa status are
questionable.
·
The sudden withdrawal of a student from your
program without a reason.
·
A
student’s stated reason or apparent motivation for enrolling in the specific
program is not typical of the usual class representation.
·
Unusual
behavior such as isolation or unusual non-participation by an individual toward
fellow students in classroom discussions or activities.
·
Information
or evidence that suggests a student received paramilitary training overseas.
·
A student’s interest in only certain areas of
flying (i.e., not interested in landing.)
·
Suspicious inquiries regarding the differences
in flying certain types of aircraft (i.e., if learning to fly on a small plane
yet ask suspicious questions regarding 737, 747, 777, etc.).
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
301-600-1206 (Office)
301-600-2082 (FAX)