City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION SAFEGUARD
PROPERTY
MANAGERS, BUILDING SUPERINTENDENTS, DOORMEN, CONCIERGES
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 Property Managers, Building Superintendents, Doormen, Concierges,
though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law
enforcement:
·
Receiving
complaints of transient activity occurring at odd hours of the day or
night. Examples may include a number of
visitors frequenting a premises during the late hours and congregating thereat
on a recurring basis or persons who have been regularly observed moving
unidentified objects in and out of the premises under the cover of darkness.
·
The
revelation that your premises have been discretely modified for storage
purposes or there are “secret locations in the apartment for securing
documents, records, arms, and other important items.” (Quote from Al Qaeda
Training Manual section: “Security Precaution Related to Apartments”).
·
Locks
and keys have been replaced without permission.
·
An
unusual request has been made for building blueprints or schematics and such
material is later lost or stolen.
·
The
decor and furnishings do not match the purported occupation of the lessee (The
Al Qaeda Training Manual cautions: “The cover of those who frequent the
location should match the cover of that location.”)
·
A
strange chemical smell or other unique or distinctive odor can be detected
coming from the premises.
·
Containers
used for the storage of chemicals or other materials not commonly associated
with a residential dwelling or required to operate the purported business at
the location are linked to premises (i.e., placed in the garbage disposal
area.)
·
Visitors
found in your building claim to be lost or appear disoriented.
·
Maintenance
work that is not announced or scheduled takes place.
·
Deliveries
arrive that are not anticipated or requested.
·
Unknown
persons ask for directions, re: the building’s sensitive areas (utility rooms,
HVAC systems, etc.) or security system (cameras).
·
Groups
of individuals, especially those with no visible means of support, share a
common address. (Terrorist operatives will often cohabitate to facilitate
operational planning. Additionally, they
may attempt to position themselves in an area that will ease their surveillance
of potential targets).
·
Suspicious
inquiries concerning utilities servicing the apartment building or complex
particularly which apartments are gas fed. (Terrorists have expressed interest
in renting apartments and subsequently igniting their gas lines to cause a
catastrophic explosion and building collapse.)
·
Observations
of unusual purchases or carrying of weatherproofing materials including
weather-stripping, packaging, sealing, or duct tape utilized for the sealing of
drafts which may be exploited for sealing a room.
·
Unusual
inactivity of tenants observed in gas fed apartments.
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)