City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION
SAFEGUARD
SHOPPING MALLS
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, which 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 are examples of activity relating to Shopping Malls, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:
·
Individuals
bringing or attempting to bring unusual packages or containers into the
premises.
·
Suspicious
behavior by an individual attempting to enter your establishment while wearing
bulky clothing that appears inappropriate. May be compounded by the subject
being alone or while acting excessively nervous and/or perspiring.
·
Individuals
acting nervous, jittery, uneasy, vague and avoiding eye contact.
·
Unusual
inquiries made by an individual(s) regarding specific events scheduled for your
establishment and premises or of your site’s anticipated patrons such as
questions about the “profile” of your patrons, the purpose of an event or
featured club or artist.
·
Unusual
questions about the type of security in place at your establishment.
·
Overheard
conversations in which individuals or patrons make unusual or alarming
statements.
·
Individual(s)
found in areas that are off limits to patrons such as HVAC access rooms, the
roof or off-limit areas.
·
Individual(s)
videotaping, sketching, photographing or pacing (measuring) the premises for no
apparent reason.
- Suspicious vehicles parked outside the premises.
· Unclaimed or suspicious packages or objects found at your establishment.
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)