City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION
SAFEGUARD
HELICOPTER TOURS
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 Helicopter Tours and Air Charter Companies, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:
- Unusual interest expressed by your passengers or customers in locations that could be potential targets of terrorism (i.e., critical infrastructure sites such as oil refineries, power plants, etc.) or any other building. Special requests to fly over facilities not typically of interest to your clientele, sightseeing tourists or other business executive passengers; excessive photographing or videotaping of these locations during flyovers.
- Excessive questioning by a passenger regarding the piloting and operation of the helicopter (i.e., systematic questioning as to how to maneuver the helicopter while in flight).
- Repeat flights by an individual who does not appear to be using the service as an expeditious way to travel (i.e., business executive) or by an individual who does not appear to be using the service for pleasure purposes (i.e., tourist).
- Attempts by an individual to carry on excessive luggage or containers.
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:
301-600-2100
SGT Dennis K. Dudley
Planning Division
Frederick Police Department
301-600-1206 (Office)
301-600-2082 (FAX)