City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION SAFEGUARD
RESTAURANTS
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.
Moreover, in some instances, these types of businesses or locations may
themselves become the target of a terrorist attack.
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 Restaurants, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible
concern to law enforcement:
·
Individuals
bringing or attempting to bring unusual packages into the premises.
·
Unusual
inquiries made by individuals regarding specific events scheduled at your
restaurant or regarding your clientele (i.e., questions about the guest list,
the purpose of the event [i.e., fundraising dinner], the type of security in
place, etc.).
·
Specific
inquiries made by an unknown third party concerning the table reservations of
another individual.
·
Overheard
conversations in which individuals or patrons make unusual or alarming
statements.
·
Evidence
of possible food tampering to wholesale goods and food items supplied to the
restaurant.
·
Individuals
videotaping or photographing the premises for no apparent reason.
·
Individuals
loitering outside or inside the restaurant for an extended period of time for
no apparent reason (i.e., taking notes, watching patrons enter and exit, etc.).
·
Suspicious
vehicles parked outside your restaurant.
·
The
appearance of different street vendors in the sidewalk area outside the
restaurant.
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:
301-694-2100
SGT Dennis K. Dudley
Planning Division
Frederick Police Department
301-624-1206 (Office)
301-696-2964 (FAX)