City of Frederick, Maryland
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).
In addition to
this concern, businesses may be used by terrorist operatives to stage or
facilitate an act of terrorism.
The
following examples of activity relating to Businesses though not fully
inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:
- The appearance of a suspicious vehicle (including
bicycles with a storage basket) parked near locations where large amounts
of people congregate or pass.
- Actions by an individual that suggest the videotaping
of the business location and surrounding area for no apparent reason
(i.e., no aesthetic value).
- Unclaimed or suspicious packages or objects left on
the street or where large amounts of people congregate or pass.
- The very recent placement of a garbage can, postal
mailbox, newspaper kiosk or other stationary object.
- Recent attempts by unknown individuals to gain access
to your building’s roof.
- Inquiries about short-term rental of an apartment or
space above your store or business that also happens to offer a view of a
government facility, parade route or special event location. (Terrorist operatives may attempt to
position themselves in an area that will ease their surveillance of
potential targets.)
- Suspicious inquiries by unknown individuals
regarding:
-Security measures
-Use of your business by public
officials, dignitaries, or other VIPs.
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)