City of Frederick, Maryland

      

 

 

OPERATION SAFEGUARD

SCUBA SHOPS: EQUIPMENT, TRAINING AND LESSONS

 

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 Scuba Shops, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:

 

·         Cash purchases of expensive scuba equipment by individuals who do not appear to be knowledgeable in the sport.  Individual purchases of common dive gear in excessive quantities.

·         Purchase of scuba equipment that is incompatible for diving in water temperatures or in a climate where a customer claims the equipment will be used.

·         Attempts to rent advanced gear without the required certifications, or attempts to rent gear that is inconsistent with the stated purpose of the diving trip.

·         Unusual purchasing inquires related to Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs) and Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs).

·         Exclusive purchases of darkened gear, or after-market painting.

·         Attempts to purchase large magnets, large diameter PVC pipe, or empty compressed gas cylinders (or theft of same).

·         Participation in scuba lessons by individuals who suddenly or inexplicably drop out before graduation or certification.

·         Unusual or inappropriate questions posed by individuals participating in scuba lesson classes or a disinterest in understanding aspects of scuba training that are normally important to students.

·         Training sponsored by groups or agencies not normally associated with diving.

·         Requests for specific specialty training, including odd inquiries that are inconsistent with recreational diving.

·         Requests to learn the advanced skills associated with combat swimming, including training with rebreathers, deep diving, conducting “kick counts,” or receiving navigation training.

·         Inquiries about obtaining special equipment for under water construction such as underwater welding by individuals who do not seem to be involved in that specialized industry.

·         Training conducted in remote or atypical locations or restricted areas.

·         Threats, coercion, or attempts to bribe trainers for certification.

·         Wants to learn how to dive down but not how to come back up.

·         Attempts to photograph or loiter near restricted areas or sensitive sites.

·         Attempts to gain employment at sensitive sites or with outside vendors offering access to these sites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, MD 21702

301-624-1206 (Office)

301-696-2964 (FAX)