City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION SAFEGUARD
NAIL
SALONS
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.
- Presence of individuals who do not appear legitimately interested in the particular business or workplace.
- The significant loss or theft of any chemical utilized in the business that may be hazardous, flammable or modifiable for use as a weapon, chemical agent or threaten public safety i.e. acetone.
- Unusual questions concerning the inventory of chemicals used in the business that may be hazardous, flammable or modifiable for use as a weapon or chemical agent.
- Suspicious behavior that appears to denote planning for criminal activity, such as pacing, the drawing of maps or structure containing entrances and exits, emergency outlets etc.
- Unusual or repetitious purchases that may be indicative of stockpiling materials that may be utilized or modified or use against the public.
The following examples of activity relating to Nail Salons, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:
- Inquiries as to the purchase of chemicals including—but not limited to—ethyl methacrylate (EMA), titanium dioxide, benzoyl peroxide, methacrylic acid and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) used within your salon.
- Chemicals missing from your inventory, or lost in shipment to your business.
- Suspicious inquiries into the mass-purchase or storage of Acetone, which may be stored in mass quantities at your site.
- Suspicious inquiries into the security around the storage of all chemicals at your salon.
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)