City of Frederick, Maryland

 

 

OPERATION SAFEGUARD

PARADE ROUTE BUSINESSES and SPECIAL EVENT LOCATIONS

 

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 and locations along parade and special event routes or other designated areas for large-scale, mass public gatherings (i.e., demonstrations, celebrations, street fairs, etc.) may be used by terrorist operatives to stage or facilitate an act of terrorism.

 

The following examples of activity relating to Parade Route Businesses and Special Event Locations, 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 the area designated for the event to take place.
  • Actions by an individual that suggest the pre-event videotaping of the route or location and surrounding area for no apparent reason (i.e., no aesthetic value).
  • The sudden appearance of a new street vendor in an area adjacent to the event route or gathering location.
  • Unclaimed or suspicious packages or objects found along the special event route or location.
  • The very recent placement of a garbage can, postal mailbox, newspaper kiosk or other stationary object along special route or location.
  • Recent attempts by unknown individuals to gain access to your building’s roof overlooking the parade route or special event location.
  • Inquiries about short-term rental of an apartment or space above your store or business that also happens to offer a view of a 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 to be conducted at the event (i.e., searches, wanding etc.).

      -Seating arrangements for public officials, dignitaries, or other VIPs at an

        event.

 

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. Because your business is in proximity to a parade route or special event location, your observations are extremely important.  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)