City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION SAFEGUARD
HOUSES OF WORSHIP
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 Houses of Worship, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:
- Unusual inquiries about the congregation from individuals who do not seem to be of the same faith or denomination.
- Actions that suggest that an individual, present for a religious service, is unfamiliar with the rite or customs of the service (i.e., kneeling instead of remaining standing during a specified portion of the prayer service or not responding along with the congregation).
- Individuals photographing or videotaping the building interior or exterior.
- Evidence suggesting that the building’s HVAC system (i.e., heating, ventilation, air conditioning access rooms or panels) may possibly have been tampered with.
- Individuals found loitering in areas where there is access to the HVAC system or other physical plant systems (i.e., air intake vents; electrical breaker switch boxes) related to building operations.
- Unusual odors or substances, oil based stains or other flammable material.
- Parking of a suspicious vehicle, such as a truck, in front of the building when normally such vehicles are not parked in that location.
- The discovery of an unattended package or suspicious object.
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)