City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION SAFEGUARD
PARKING
GARAGES AND VEHICLE STORAGE LOTS
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 Parking Garages and Vehicle Storage Lots, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:
·
An
unclaimed vehicle exceeding the parking term agreement.
·
A
specific request to park the vehicle at a location within the garage near
potential vulnerable positions.
·
A
vehicle appearing unusually weighted down.
·
A
vehicle emitting a strong odor, such as a chemical or organic smell (i.e.,
vinegar-like or a fertilizer smell).
·
A
liquid substance, not normally associated with a vehicle, observed leaking from
the passenger compartment or the trunk.
·
A
vehicle observed to contain metal cylinders, tanks or containers or any unusual
wiring.
·
The
registration or inspection sticker appearing altered or fraudulent. (Note: The Al Qaeda training manual states,
“license plate number and county name should be falsified. Further, the digits should be numerous in
order to prevent anyone from spotting and memorizing it.”)
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)