City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION SAFEGUARD
SCHOOLS or
UNIVERSITIES
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 Schools or Universities, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible
concern to law enforcement:
·
The
unexpected and unusual withdrawal at any time of a child because his or her
family is suddenly returning to their former country overseas. (Including reports you receive from other
teachers, school administrators at other area schools alleging similar, sudden
withdrawals.)
·
Registration
of children into schools without necessary documentation (i.e. birth
certificates or immunization records) or with documentation that does not match
the individual or does not appear authentic or has been altered.
·
Unusual
inquiries from strangers regarding school hours (i.e., arrival and dismissal
times), pupil attendance or population (i.e., ethnic or religious composition
of the student body), the presence of security measures in place (or lack
thereof), etc. Also, queries made by
individuals who do not appear to be interested in registering their children.
·
Reports
of individual(s) videotaping or photographing the school building or making
observations of the activity relating to school functions.
·
Alarming
or unusual statements made by a student regarding an approaching date.
·
The
parking of a suspicious vehicle in the school’s parking lot or in proximity to
the school building.
·
The
loss or theft of any chemicals or hazardous substances located in school
laboratories.
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)